VITRAC STORIES
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VITRAC STORIES

„ The user-friendliness and versatility of the VITRAC are unique” Armin and Karl Platter, Vintners at the Mockhof in Leitach, Bozen VITRAC: Mr Platter, you have the development fortune, after a long search, we found the mechanic had to pass the practical test over and over again. of the VITRAC. What made you decide to design Willy Mulser, who was willing to make a prototype After four prototypes, the end product was ready for a completely new machine for vineyards on of our ideas. We tested this at the Mockhof and use: It‘s an absolute gem for wine growing on steep steep slopes? were...

Did you have to make any changes to your over 400 rows to drive when we spray pesticides in our vineyard, and just today, we managed to do it in Yes, we optimised the paths and bends. We put turning plates down and concreted over the bends, which had previously been stone. Now we can drive What else do you use VITRAC for? safely in all weather. The traction of the VITRAC is For all sorts of things; with its numerous acces- perfect even when it‘s wet and slippery. If you do sories, it is extremely versatile. For example, we this preparation work once in the vineyards, you also use the dumper...

The Mockhof is located at 500 metres above sea level in Oberleitach, between Bozen and the village of Signat am Ritten. The vines are trained in the Guyot system and cover 3.5 hectares on steep slopes exposed to the sun: the gradient varies between 20 to 65%, with an average of around 45%. The aromatic grapes, mainly white wines such as Sauvignon Blanc, are vinified into quality wines in the Bozen winery.

„ Everybody said you’re off your head” Georg Ramoser, Vintner and Cellar Master at the Untermoserhof in St. Magdalena VITRAC: Mr. Ramoser, together with other winemakers you developed the idea for today‘s VITRAC and built it with the mechanic Willy Mulser. Why did you want a new vineyard implement? Georg Ramoser: In 1990, I bought tracked vehicles for my fairly steep vineyards, and got along well for twenty years. However, working with this machinery was exhausting in the long term, and the tracked vehicles took a lot of maintenance. We vintners thought that a tractor-tool carrier combo...

The Untermoserhof is located in an idyllic setting below the church of St. Mary Magdalene in St. Magdalena near Bozen, with a sweeping view over the Eisack Valley to the summits of the Rosengarten. Viticulture has been a solid tradition here since 1630. Vintner Georg Ramoser runs four hectares of vineyards at the Untermoserhof and also two wineries in Girlan, where he grows Merlot and Chardonnay. The Untermoserhof produces around 35,000 bottles of Chardonnay, St. Magdalener, Lagrein and Merlot each year.

What kind of terrain was VITRAC conceived for? we were able to convince them. VITRAC was also VITRAC is a great device for steep slopes with put through its paces by SUVA, the accredited and terraced vines, narrow rows and tight bends. That‘s notified certification body in Switzerland, in type ex- exactly what it was designed for. There is no other amination to certify that the machine complies with machine that is capable of these tasks. European directives for health and safety. What was most important to you during the How does VITRAC reduce your workload? planning phase? Ever since the...

„ It’s at its best on steep slopes” Christoph Mock, Vintner and Cellar Master at the Wassererhof in Völser Ried in the lower Eisack Valley VITRAC: Mr. Mock, why did you choose VITRAC? What kind of work do you use VITRAC for? Christoph Mock: Twenty years ago, we took over the Wassererhof and made At the moment we use it mainly as a sprayer and mulcher. But the tool carrier the move from fruit cultivation to pure viticulture. My brother Andreas and I is very versatile: We are very interested in using it in the future as a trimmer come from a vineyard in Leitach in Bozen, which is now run by...

The Wassererhof farm is located at 450 metres above sea level in the lower Eisack Valley at the foot of the Schlern, and dates back to the year 1366. In 1996, the farm was acquired by Franz Mock, whose sons Christoph and Andreas undertook tasteful renovations. Today they run the Wassererhof as a winery and tavern: Christoph is the farmer and cellar master, Andreas the cook. The Wassererhof covers 3.5 hectares of vineyards with a slope of up to 45%. Christoph creates complex, elegant wines: the grapes for his South Tyrolean Sauvignon and South Tyrolean Pinot Blanc come from the vineyards...

Did you have to make any changes to the vineyards? We had to prepare the vineyard to a small extent, but we didn’t need to make many major changes. We inspect the terraces regularly and level them as required, keeping them compact. This kind of maintenance makes working with VITRAC more comfortable and safer. After the recent Esca outbreak we had to replant some new vines and the terrain was on the bumpy side afterwards, but we levelled out these sections and it was all fine again. Does the machine take a lot of work off your hands? Yes, absolutely. The mechanical help that VITRAC provides...

„ An investment that pays for itself” Hannes Kainzwalder, Vintner at the Oberpartegger-Hof in Villanders in the Eisack Valley VITRAC: Mr. Kainzwalder, why did you choose VITRAC? Hannes Kainzwalder: At first I fancied getting a tractor, and then a tracked vehicle, which I did actually work with for a while. However the extreme wear and tear of tracked vehicles bothered me. They fight against the land, and against themselves. My long-term goal, then, has always been to buy a wheeled vehicle. But there was nothing that was the right size until VITRAC came along. Has VITRAC met your...

You came up with one of the ideas to optimise what I want, and a member of staff comes to the laptop and updates the software in a few minutes. That’s right. The idea for the angle sensor which This teamwork is worth its weight in gold. controls the lower nozzle was based on one of my suggestions. This device allows the user to limit the How satisfied are you with the service in case of angle of rotation of the entire fan and turn off the nozzles automatically depending on the angle, with- One of my sensors went on the blink one Saturday out having to stop and do it manually. This means...