Reviving the former Vineyard
This project covers the restoration of a heavily overgrown former vineyard of approximately 2.000 square meters. After many years without maintenance, the entire area had become densely covered with wild vegetation, shrubs, and unmanaged growth. What was once cultivated land had slowly disappeared beneath nature.
The clearing and restoration process took nearly three years so far and is way not completed, yet. Through continuous manual work and careful land management, pathways were reopened, terraces and usable areas were restored, and the landscape gradually brought back to life. The goal was not only to clean the property, but to preserve its agricultural heritage while creating a sustainable and natural environment.
Today, part of the original vineyard has been successfully preserved and is once again producing grapes that are harvested every season. In addition to the vines, the land is now home to berry bushes, an apple tree, and other cultivated agricultural areas. At the same time, natural meadows and woodland sections remain an important part of the property, creating a balanced landscape between cultivation and nature.
The result is a revitalized piece of land that combines tradition, biodiversity, and long-term dedication — transforming an abandoned vineyard into a living and productive environment once again.
03/23 – 05/23
When we purchased the land, which covers approx. 7.800 squaremeters, from which about 25% was the former wineyard (Plot 608) and 75% forest (Plot 607), it was not so much like a forgotten fairytale’s garden. No, it was rotten, overgrown, and the fence and former wine pillars and plants were mostly destroyed. At this point nobody had taken care of the plot for about 15 years. After an initial inspection of the entire plot, we had the fence rebuild and the sliding gate put back to work.
06/23 – 07/24
We also purchased a 4 metres aluminium storage container to have all tools stored and secured, but also at hand any time.
08/24 – 09/25
The longer it took, the more we had to acknowledge that this is not a gardening project, by far. This is agricultural work, with serious farming and woodwork. And this requires a proper setup of tools, to make the work more easy and deal with the sheer volume of all materials we have to transport on the ground. In addition the entire plot is not horizontal. There is a small plateau at the top where we enter the ground through the slide door, but about 90% is steep. Walking down and climbing up a number of times makes you pretty much know what you have done at the end of the day. Hence we decided that, besides various STIHL motor Tools, there was a clear need for an ATV with a respective trailer to simplify the transport of workforce, tools and materials.
10/25 – 05/26
We even had to purchase another 4 metres aluminium storage container, since we were simply running out of space with all the tools and materials.
What’s next ?
Next phase of the project is to get the underground storage (we call it the “Bunker”) cleaned, completed and fit for use as per its purpose: a wine and storage cellar. This room is about 3 by 3 meters wide, fully digged into the ground, has a door and even a window at the valley facing side. To our surprise there are actually no kind of “animals” claiming to reside there and the climate is quite consistant during the entire year. This will allow us to store grapes, fruits, wine and a little tools, once it is renewed.
