Skoff Original, Styra

Mr Sauvignon - that's how the whole world knows the native Styrian. Walter Skoff is known for his award-winning wines, especially his Sauvignon Blanc, which was honoured with the golden "Denis Dubourdieu Trophy" in 2017, the industry's world championship title. A success for Styria, a success for Austria. At the age of 13, he was already helping his father with the business, which he has now been running successfully for 40 years. He took over a total vineyard area of 1.7 hectares, which he has increased to 60 hectares over the years. For his 700,000 bottles per year, he needed a system that would provide the required starting temperature for the fermentation process and also serve as an efficient heat supplier for the premises. The decision was made in favour of Austrian quality - the HERZ firematic 401 wood chip system.

Passed down from generation to generation, the Skoff family is deeply rooted in our homeland and the tradition of Styrian wine. Walter Skoff is the fourth generation to take over the business and cultivates a proud 60 hectares with grape varieties typical of the region. Originally a mixed farm with pig breeding, he had to do stable work from an early age and even experienced his first tractor accident as a primary school child.

Walter Skoff's future already seemed to be mapped out by his father Skoff. After the early death of his older brother, he was the next eldest son to take over the business. As a student, the motto was: "You stay at home, don't study". He was unable to escape his fate - thank goodness, because who else would have made Styrian wines so world-famous?

The wild white

Sauvignon Blanc, a grape variety created in the 18th century from a natural cross between Traminer and Chenin Blanc, began its triumphal march around the globe from France. Its name is derived from the French words "sauvage" (wild) and "blanc" (white), which refers to the wild character of the grape variety. The wild white is one of the Bukett grape varieties with a particularly wide range of flavours. It is not for nothing that Walter Skoff calls it the "queen of all wine varieties". In an interview with HERZ News, Walter Skoff shares his success story as well as the challenges he faces as a winemaker.

HERZ News:Dear Mr Skoff, why Sauvignon?

Walter Skoff: It was very important to me, especially influenced by my father, that we grow wines that are typical of the region. We realised that the bouquet varieties present themselves very well and we concentrated on the right varieties, especially those that have an international reputation. I analysed the soil every time I bought new land. The conglomerate-rich soils are ideal for fragrant grape varieties. My condition was that Sauvignon must be present everywhere. So today we have 13 different Sauvignons from 13 different vineyards, which we have successively acquired over the last few years. Sauvignon has a special significance for me because there are so many different characters to work out. You have to take your time, like raising a small child.

HERZ News:What characterises a wine for you as a long-standing winemaker? What must be taken into account?

Walter Skoff: For me, it is important that the wine reflects the region. I want to recognise the region and the variety. It must be fragrant, fruity and animating and have character. On the other hand, wines with ageing potential should be in harmony with wood. Wood has roasted aromas and brings in different nuances, but you can still recognise the variety very well. Wine simply needs time to develop. It is important for winemakers to engage with nature. Artificial help is useless. Nature will find its own way, I just have to understand how to deal with it. Once you've done that, you can feel the vintages even more deeply.

HERZ News:What is the biggest challenge for you as a winemaker?

Walter Skoff: We are facing climatic challenges. When it is dry, the vines receive little water, which is disadvantageous for them on the one hand, but on the other hand it makes them more independent and gives them more minerals. We want to stress the vines a little so that they adapt to the drought and develop deeper roots.

HERZ News:What makes viticulture so unique and multifaceted?

Walter Skoff: Several factors play a role in viticulture. The different vineyards and also the size of the vineyards are important. Our USP is that we have different terrains. We have a lot of room for manoeuvre within the large areas. Due to the different harvesting and harvesting processes, you get 4-5 different types within one vineyard. This is the result of experience and experimentation. Our expertise and our long-standing employees are the most important factors.

HERZ News:You have your vineyards in Styria, which is an ideal region for winegrowing, isn't it?

Walter Skoff: In Styria, we have the Illyrian climate, the air currents from the Adriatic and the Alps, which allow rainfall to fall. This has a very favourable effect on viticulture. Burgundy varieties, which are very popular worldwide, thrive on the calcareous soils. It is very important to bring in nature. We also have an organic wine farm. I have to admit, organic is a real challenge in southern Styria.

HERZ News:Why is that?

Walter Skoff: Organic wine needs some explaining. In our steep vineyards, organic means more work, lower yields, but a convincing quality in terms of flavour. We choose airier sites for organic viticulture and grow more resistant varieties there. In the organic system, we fertilise with our own compost. Plant protection is very nature-orientated and we have achieved great success with beneficial insects. We also try to keep our CO2 emissions low by combining our work and focussing on effective working methods.

HERZ News:Did this love of nature make you decide in favour of a HERZ wood chip system?

Walter Skoff: I needed a system that achieves optimum combustion values, has low emissions and also delivers the right output. The wood chip system not only serves as a heat supplier for the premises, but also has an important function in wine production. During the fermentation process, I need a certain starting temperature that has to be reached quickly. With HERZ, this simply works perfectly. I have been impressed by the quality and the service itself. Everything runs automatically and I have a minimal workload with maximum convenience. What more could you want?

HERZ News:The fuel for the system comes from your own forest?

Walter Skoff: Yes, exactly. I'm a farmer, so it's important to me that everything is kept clean. The leftover wood is ideal for the plant, even offcuts are processed into wood chips. The wood is sufficiently dried and then chopped. In this way, the wood produced in-house can be used as fuel in optimum quality. It is a circular economy.

HERZ News:Finally, what would you like to tell our HERZ News readers??

Walter Skoff: I want people to enjoy life. Matching wine and food brings joy to life, as does consciously enjoying meals together with the family. Enjoying company and togetherness creates a better and wonderful feeling. A good wine, a good meal and good heating - then you have everything (laughs).

HERZ News:You can only toast this statement. Thank you very much for your time and the smooth interview.

HERZ firematic 401

Wood chip system

The firematic 401 wood chip pellet system is characterised by its modular design with combustion chamber and heat exchanger module. The HERZ firematic's staircase grate technology, developed in-house, ensures optimum air supply and therefore energy-efficient and clean combustion. The 7" touch display of the boiler control system enables user-friendly operation thanks to clear menu navigation and simple 3D display; the T-Control also enables remote visualisation and remote maintenance via smartphone, PC or tablet.

Learn more about HERZ firematic 401 wood chip boiler.