The winery is located in the municipality of Oberarnsdorf 58 in the Lower Austrian wine-growing region of Wachau. The family has been associated with viticulture for 300 years. There is documentary evidence of the existence of Simon Hicker (*1699) and Antonius Hicker (*1782) as court masters at St. Peterhof in Krems, and of Josef Hick (1872-1938) as court master at St. Peterhof in Oberarnsdorf. Today, the winery is run by Maria Hick (cellar master) and Manfred Eder-Hick (Ruperti winemaker). Efficient and economical use of energy is part of the farm philosophy. Around 75% of the buildings are equipped with Led lighting and a photovoiltaik system.
The vineyards cover six hectares of vineyards in the Rieden Buchenthal, Johannserberg, Kellerweingärten, Kirnberg, Mitterbirg, Steiger and Stiegelstal (with Subriede Glauberkreuz). They are planted with the white wine varieties Grüner Veltliner (around 60%), Rivaner (Müller-Thurgau), Riesling, Chardonnay and Muskateller, as well as the red wine variety Zweigelt (10%). The vineyards are cultivated according to ecological and sustainable criteria. These include green manuring, sparing use of sprays, avoidance of herbicides, avoidance of insecticides through the use of pheromones, and slope maintenance for the purpose of promoting biodiversity. Quality-oriented measures include careful foliage management and thinning in summer.
Only ripe and healthy grapes are processed through selective manual harvesting in several rounds from October to November. The aim of the winery is to produce wines that are fruity, typical of the region and of the terroir, reflecting the respective site and the regional microclimate. They are mainly vinified dry with a long shelf life. After a gentle pressing, the musts are fermented in steel tanks or large wooden barrels under temperature control, depending on the type of wine, and are stored for a long time on the fine lees. The winery is a member of the Vinea Wachau Nobilis Districtus association and a founding member of the Ruperti winegrowers in Arnsdorf. Around 30,000 to 40,000 bottles of wine are produced annually.
