1868: The first Pinot Noir vines are planted in the courtyard of the Sonnhof estate
1935: two new grape varieties are introduced to the Kamptal region by the family:
Blaufränkisch in the Spiegel vineyard and Pinot Blanc, at that time considered an exotic variety, in the Loiserberg vineyard.
1935: the Sonnhof is the first estate to filtrate and bottle its own wines
1936: after a visit to Epernay und Reims in France’s Champagne region, the grandfather produces the Kamptal’s first Riesling sparkling wine following the traditional method used in Champagne.
1949: all vines are trained to a low trellis system.
1970’s: the Jurtschitsch brothers take a pioneer role in adapting principles of organic viticulture
1978: the Sonnhof estate installs the first temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks in the Kamptal
1987: the famous GrüVe is born
2000: the new press house is built – a unique building extending terrace-like over four floors
2002: GrüVe® gets its own website: www.grueve.com
2006: the new press house is built – a unique building extending terrace-like over four floors
family | tradition | innovation  

Wine is the goal.
Changes and innovations are a natural principle.

This applies equally to various fields such as the early switch to natural fertilizers, creating revolutionary wine- and marketing-concepts like the GrüVe or implementing the most modern vinification techniques in our cellar.



Whoever seriously works and cooperates with nature, does not merely find a lot of inspiration, but also a way to combine modern ideas with traditional methods.

As early as the 1930’s the Sonnhof estate was renowned for its pioneering efforts in viticulture and in winemaking – efforts that drew well-deserved praise in the following decades, especially from the 1960’s on. At that time the estate of Josef Jurtschitsch was the most highly awarded winery in Langenlois.

Today we can proudly look back at numerous national and international top awards; nevertheless, the pioneer spirit of the family continues to inspire us.

Innovation stands for courage – the courage to change things and lots of work: "pioneering work".