Kamptal DAC
The namesake of this wine growing region is the River Kamp, that flows directly through it, and is also the home to Austria’s largest wine producing town, Langenlois. Kamptal is one of the most successful wine regions and boast a high proportion of outstanding quality wine producers.
The region’s two main grape varieties Grüner Veltliner and Riesling, have defined the KamptalDAC since its establishment in 2008. The KamptalDAC wines must be made exclusively from the varieties Grüner Veltliner or Riesling. The additional “Reserve” represents deeper, weightier DAC wines, with good aging potential.
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Kremstal dac
The High Culture of Wine
If vineyards could speak, there would be endless hours of exciting discussion in the Kremstal. The 2,243 hectares of vineyards are divided into different divisions: the city of Krems, the eastern-lying areas, and the small wine villages south of the Danube. Despite these divisions, there are uniting elements, not only in the regional art and culture, but also in the key vinophile representatives, Grüner Veltliner and Riesling.
In the old town of Krems, the intimate link to wine is more than evident. This is a place that has superbly fulfilled its role as an ambassador of Austrian wine culture throughout the ages. Many of the estates in Krems have existed for centuries. This tradition continues to thrive due to the many young and successful Vintners, an innovative wine co-operative, and an outstanding wine “school”.
Like its adjoining neighbour, Wachau, Kremstal vineyards are based predominantly on primary rock. The vineyards produce elegant, mineral tasting wines. The vineyards to the east contrast starkly and yield much richer, rounder, full-bodied wines.
The magnificent Benedictine Göttweig Monastery (founded in 1083) is perched on “a mountain top” on the south side of the Danube River and appears to stand guard over the wine at its feet. The Monastery is featured as the logo of the Müller Winery, whose exclusive wines, the Austrian Wine Company supplies.
As with the neighbouring Wachau and Kamptal wine-growing areas, the Kremstal also has its fair share of special climatic conditions, with cool, humid northern breezes from nearby Waldviertel colliding with warm, dry eastern winds from the Pannonian plain. The Danube Valley benefits from the temperature regulating effect of the river’s large flowing surface. Mouth watering and elegant white Grüner Veltliner and Riesling wines with great finesse, and also Weißburgunder and supple, expressive red wines are typical for this historic wine-growing region on the banks of the majestic Danube. Vintners have become increasingly conscious of the uniqueness of their vineyards and work towards unadulterated expression of this terroir.
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Burgenland and Leithaberg
Fabulous. Delicious. Premium.
The wines of the Burgenland and the Leithaberg DAC region are exemplified by their inimitable and pure style. The LeithabergDAC label stands for environmentally conscious viniculture and pronounced regional character. Preservation of authenticity is the primary focus. Allowing wine time to evolve naturally is a prerequisite. Every drop of Leithaberg wine thus carries a recognisable signature and expresses the essence of a unique cultural landscape of timeless beauty.
Full bodied and rich red wines are produced under the influence of the continental Pannonian climate in the eastern region of Burgenalnd. The indigenous Blauer Zweigelt variety tends to dominate on the eastern shores of Lake Neusiedl where it produces powerful and juicy red wines.
The Leithaberg DAC wines are influenced by the Leithagebirge and Lake Neusiedl . Warm winds of the lake favour the important ripeness. The mountains induce nightly temperature drops and thus fruitiness, freshness, finesse and longevity. The soils of the Leithaberg are predominantly composed of chalk and slate. Shell limestone, about 15 million years old, conveys a slightly salty note and elegance. Slate is responsible for the desired tension and structure.
The Leithaberg DAC red is predominantly produced from the Blaufränkisch grape variety. The wine matures in wooden barrels, yet flavors derived from wood should remain in the background and only emphasize character, elegance and power. There is one feature that Leithaberg DAC reds and whites have in common, they display tension and vivacity, are tightly knit and multi-layered.
The area also produces the renowned sweet Ruster Ausbruch, which has a strong regional identity, and is heralded around the world.
The vintners are strongly committed to their region and environment, and are passionate about their work and their wine.This deep emotional connection and commitment to the highest quality result in the creation of exciting wines.
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Thermenregion
The Cradle of Great Wines, Wines with a History and a Future.
Located south of Vienna, this wine growing region has seen the cultivation of wine for more than 2000 years. Roman legionnaires stationed in Carnuntum, brought vines and vinicultural knowledge from their own countries. The Thermenregion takes its name from the “hot sulphuric thermal springs” of the Roman town of Aquae , which is Baden today. The Cistercian monks revitalised viniculture during the Middle Ages, and the design of the vineyards and sites, as well as the character of the villages, visibly resemble areas in Burgundy.
The Thermenregion provides ideal soil conditions for the cultivation of 2,196 hectares of vineyards. The area is geologically quite diverse, with heavy soils comprising clay and brown earth and marine limestone prevail. Weathered pebbles and stones as well as deep-reaching layers of alluvial soil assist in warming and draining the terroir.
Not only do the vines here benefit from the Pannonian climate, with its balmy summers and dry autumns, but also from an average of 1,800 hours of sunshine every year. Permanent airflow dries the grapes after their exposure to dew or rain, which is particularly important in autumn. In the northern area, white wine dominates with the indigenous varieties Rotgipfler, and Zierfandler and whilst in the southern area highlights red wine, with velvety St. Laurent leading the way.
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Wachau
Steep Terraces, Noble Grapes, Monumental Wines.
The narrow Danube River Valley between Melk and Krems is an UNESCO World Heritage site, and a landscape that exudes a sense of well-being: 1,350 hectares of vineyards, many of which are steeply terraced, feature the world famous Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. In the post-glacial period, silt sediments were deposited on the mountains, something that, in turn, resulted in the loess soils as well as steep slopes. The Danube River made its contribution by depositing sand, gravel and loess onto the flat vineyard areas. Together, these geological conditions, along with the man-made stone terraces that help facilitate cultivation in an incredibly steep terrain are typical of the Wachau landscape.
The Wachau, one of Austria’s most fascinating wine-growing areas, certainly boasts an exciting history.
The Atlantic from the west meets Pannonia from the east, these two strong, complementary climatic influences leave their mark here. Different microclimates are also at work and these depend on the inclination of the slopes, the weather and site conditions, and even the existence of walls and rocks which store warmth. Hot, dry summers and cold winters are counterbalanced by the large water surface of the Danube River. Cold lee winds from the slopes originating from the northern Waldviertel cause high temperature fluctuations, especially in the months prior to the harvest. In particular, the interaction of weather conditions between the cool Spitzer Graben valley and the warm Loibenberg helps to generate a complexity of aromas in the grapes. This complexity is revealed in the wines as cool fruit with exotic hints appearing in all the wines.
Apart from the two leading varieties Grüner Veltliner and Riesling, which are heralded for their extraordinary ageing potential, are Neuburger, Weiss Burgunder (Pinot Blanc), Gelber Muskateller and a little Sauvignon Blanc. Extraordinary tasting experiences are guaranteed.
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Wagram
Riesling
The wine growing region of Wagram was renamed in 2007, previously being known as Donauland. The official designation of this winegrowing region, describes a mighty plateau in the landscape which stretches along the left bank of the river Danube for over 30 km. This area comprises approximately 2,450 hectares of vineyards. The remaining vineyard area (300 ha) consists of the vineyards around Klosterneuburg, south of the Danube, and along the northern bank of the Danube as far as Kamptal, and the areas towards the south, encompassing the quaint villages around the Tullnerfeld region as well as the historic wine town of Klosterneuburg, just outside Vienna.
Its uniform geological and climatic characteristics make the Wagram a model wine growing region. A deep layer of loess was deposited on the shore of a prehistoric sea forming a unique landscape with soils that are high in fossils and mineral content. This demonstrably lends the wines their unique regional character. The influence of the Pannonian climate provides very warm sunny days that alternate with cool nights. This combination creates wines with pronounced fruit and elegant, creamy texture. This unique terroir is exquisitely expressed in the main grape variety of the region, Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. The Roter Veltliner also thrives superbly under these conditions, and provides long lasting wines, and underlines the unique qualities of the region. The leading wineries also produce powerful reds predominantly from the grape varieties Blauer Zweigelt and Pinot Noir. In addition to these, sweet wine specialities are also produced, and of particular note are the ice wines.
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