Centuries-old Nikolaihof Wooden Press in Working Order once again

For about three hundred years Nikolaihof Wachau in Mautern has had a wine press which today is regarded as the largest of its kind in the world.

For about three hundred years Nikolaihof Wachau in Mautern has had a wine press which today is regarded as the largest of its kind in the world.

Until 19 years ago the entire grape harvest was pressed exclusively by this wooden press, and then the Saahs family switched to using a pneumatic press.

Now Nikolaus Saahs junior has restored this historic piece of equipment and is intending to use it to press a part of the 2007 grape harvest.

The press is over 12 meters long and was made from the trunk of a single elmtree. The press stone, which weighs about 2,000 kg, is raised up manually. The container for the grapes holds up to 10 tons, and these are pressed through the night.

When you visit our Nikolaihof wine tavern we shall be delighted to give you a tour of our property and show you not only our Roman cellar with the wooden vats but also the ancient wooden press.