After a very wet autumn and winter and a relatively dry spring, development in 2003 began at least one week earlier than normal. This continued. By the start of June, under optimum conditions, the vine blossoms in our good vineyard locations were already more than 14 days ahead of the longstanding average and passed very quickly and smoothly.

The subsequent hundred-year summer – the months of June and July were each around 5°C above average – drove the development of the grapes ahead at a record tempo.

The aim now was to reduce the, once again, rich fruit yield in good time in order not only to promote the vitality of our vines but above all the quality of our new 2003 vintage.

The low yields of the Juliusspital in recent years and the resulting vigorously growing vines, with their deep roots reaching into the “muschelkalk” (shelly marlstone rocks) and the claystone “Gipskeuper”, were now reaping their rewards for us.

Dry years are actually always outstanding wine years – provided one reduces the yield in good time, in order to concentrate the vine’s power on the remaining grapes and on their healthy condition.

The grapes had a high sugar concentration from an early stage and a splendid physiological maturity and by the middle of August, with their golden yellow berries allowed us to expect an early grape harvest.

It started on 22 September! Our early ripening vine varieties such as Müller-Thurgau and above all our red wines turned in a brilliant start to the harvest. The Juliusspital’s “Herbstbuch” (official harvest log) of 2003 will only contain “Prädikat” wines (quality wines with descriptors)! Not only the high must weight of 88° Öchsle (specific gravity measure), reaching as much as 161° Öchsle in some, already gave us reason to be enthusiastic about the new vintage, but also the sumptuous aroma of the fully ripe berries. The best prerequisites for a historic vintage! And of course the crisp, fresh Juliusspital house wines will also be available!

As in previous years, the mid and late vine varieties such as Silvaner, Riesling, Burgundy, Traminer and Rieslaner were able to outdo the early and crisp Müller-Thurgau and Bacchus varieties not only with respect to must weight but also in substance and body.

The last two sunny and cool weeks of the harvest gave Silvaner, Riesling and Co. another hefty spurt. Each day we checked the health of the grapes in the vineyards and, of course, the must weight too. Apart from the excellent and high-quality Kabinett wines, it is the fermentation that gives many wines the format of great growths according to VDP guidelines. After the excellent 2002 vintage we managed to make yet another significant leap forward.

Our 2003 vintage then culminated with our Würzburger Pfaffenberg Riesling Eiswein (“ice wine”), which we harvested on 9.12.2003 at minus 9°C.

In the meantime the captivating fermenting aromas of pears, quinces, bananas, apricots and peaches of the Silvaner and Riesling have replaced the fruity Müller-Thurgau and Scheurebe aromas of nutmeg, grapefruits and elderflowers in our cellars. These are ideal harbingers for fruity wines, typical for their type.

The first wines of the 2003 vintage have now been bottled and are already available for sale. They are the first harbingers of a top vintage.
Look forward to enjoying it.