Seebrünzla 2024

2024 got off to a frosty start, and even Lake Neusiedl was frozen so thickly that it was possible to skate on it. Despite this, there was very little snow throughout the winter, and when it did fall, it was immediately gone again. A very warm February and an Easter that was already 25 degrees led to very early budding. However, a short but intense frost period severely affected vineyards at lower altitudes. Shortly afterward, in April, temperatures reached 30 degrees. At the end of May and in June, the first intensive period of rain caused explosive growth. From July to mid-August, extreme heat and complete drought dominated. However, the rainfall from June allowed the vines to continue to grow vigorously. The earliest harvest to date began on August 19. The start was hot and very dry, but renewed heavy rain and a sudden drop in temperature made the rest of the harvest more difficult. There was severe flooding in large parts of Austria - a 1,000-year flood occurred in and around Vienna. Overall, it was a year of extremes: exceptionally high rainfall, extreme drought, and record temperatures - on average, the warmest year since weather records began.