respekt retreat in December 2024

This year we travelled to Vorarlberg in the beautiful Bregenzerwald to hold our retreat there. We stayed at the Hotel Hirschen in Schwarzenberg, a beautiful old house with the typical shingles of the region.The ancient building, dating back to 1755, has been completely renovated in recent years and sensitively brought up to date. We were able to the wonderful enjoyment of this jewel - with fine cuisine and great hosts.

We, that was around 40 respekt winegrowers, four speakers and two guest winemakers from Württemberg. More about the latter two soon.

As always, we meet to discuss a major topic together - this year viticulture and agroforestry for viticulture – an increasingly important issue in times of climate change. Vitiforestry - the targeted introduction of trees, shrubs, animals, and hedges in and around the vineyards - is intended to mitigate the effects of climate change. It cools the vineyards, keeps the water in the trees, protects against wind and frost and makes the vines more resistant to disease. This is a topic that we will be dealing with even more intensively in the future.

Our speakers

• Georg Meißner, lecturer at Geisenheim University of Applied Sciences, who has been a advisor to us for many years
• Martin von Mackensen from Dottenfelderhof, who as always inspires us, who worked with us on the 7th lecture from Rudolf Steiner's agricultural courses and referred to his pioneering role in the field of agroforestry
• Nicolas Haack, Triebwerk (Kassel), agroforestry expert (triebwerk-landwirtschaft.de)
• Lea Linhart, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, who analyses the sustainable development of viticulture and fruit growing in ‘still cool-climate regions’

Of course, there was also time for celebrating together and personal exchange - for example at the evening fireside chats (Kamingespräche) - were not neglected. Rumour has it that the younger members in particular did not make it in time to get a good midnight's sleep. The inviting outdoor pool would probably have a story or two to tell. But we'll keep quiet about that.

We will be paying even more attention to the topic of viticulture in the coming year and offer one or two seminars. Interested parties from outside the region are also very welcome. More about this in good time on all channels.

We look forward to seeing you!

See you soon,
Your respekt winegrowers