Wine

Grapes did not grow well in the Veldt region, and so winemaking was largely not practiced until modern times. The generations following the Great Diaspora saw the Au'Kael spread to more prosperous agricultural regions, particularly in the nations of Havan, Krae, and Chae. In their new homes, they began working as agricultural laborers, from which they learned many new farming techniques, and of different plant varieties. When some bands, or their descendants, began returning to the Veldt, they brought this knowledge with them, and transformed regions into productive agricultural zones. One such crop they brought back were wine grapes, and the art of winemaking. The grapes grew the best in the sheltered regions near Afyon and in other river valleys, along the coast, and in the foothills. And soon the venerable Vinteners Guild was established in Afyon, which adapted the wine making techniques brought from the west to fit their conditions.

Because the Veldt was historically very sparse in forests, wood was a valuable commodity and not made into wine barrels and casks. Instead, the vintners reverted to ancient technology of aging their wine in clay amphorae, and using chips and cuttings of wood left over from other uses in order to age their wines. With advent of modern times, barrels have begun to be more prevalent, since wood for their making can be imported. But the amphorae remain a distinct aspect of Au'Kael wine, and essential for certain varieties.