Millions for wall renovation in Wackerbarth's top locations

Saxony's state winery Schloss Wackerbarth has been renovating and renewing almost 6,000 square meters of vineyard walls since 2002. According to the announcement, more than 3.1 million euros have been invested in their preservation to date. This currently costs around 800 euros per square meter. The renovation of all of the company's steep slopes and terraced vineyards, which is scheduled to continue for several years, is estimated to cost over 15 million euros.

Instead of individual collapses, large areas of dry stone walls will be repaired while retaining the natural vineyard structure, including retaining and dividing walls, paths and staircases. After the top Goldener Wagen vineyard, around 360 square meters on two terraces in the Wackerbarthberg are to be completed by the end of the year. Around 850 tons of natural stone are needed to repair the walls, which are up to three metres high and up to 1.5 metres thick, and the adjacent stone steps, at a cost of around 330,000 euros.

Commitment to preserving vineyard walls in need of renovation

When it was founded in 1999, Sächsische Staatsweingut GmbH was commissioned by the Free State to preserve around 25,000 square meters of vineyard walls in need of renovation. The listed structures, which are up to 400 years old, have been damaged by extreme weather conditions such as frost, heavy rain or extreme heat, from so-called bulges to wall breaches or collapses.

At the same time, the restructuring and modernization of the uneconomical vineyards and direct-train systems from GDR times was completed with the planting of 4,000 new young Chardonnay vines for sparkling wine. Since 2002, Wackerbarth has gradually converted over 60 hectares of vineyards to near-natural and sustainable cultivation and marketable grape varieties - at a total cost of more than 1.5 million euros.