Winebow Producer Book

Niederoesterreich , Austria

Winery Overview Both tradition and innovation are essential to Toni and Ilse (née Prager) Bodenstein at Weingut Prager. Knowledge passed down over generations coupled with new opportunities created by Toni, who unscrupulously worked to uncover the secrets of terroir , has resulted in a passion for making outstanding wines that mirror the unique qualities of the vineyards from which they come. Location of Vineyard Toni’s interest in how the effects different soil conditions and climates had on the vines led him to analyzing terraces across the zone. Based on his findings, Prager purchased parcels within certain vineyards providing an assortment of terroirs . The winery now sources grapes from nine different vineyards located in the Wachau with distinctive terroirs , which impart a unique quality to their wines. Winemaking Philosophy The winery vinifies Riesling from eight different vineyards, and Grüner Veltliner from seven different vineyards all contained within a total production of less than 10,000 cases. Each bottling carries the hallmark terroir of its vineyard. The already stellar reputation of the winery has been further enhanced by Toni’s analysis, and the press has given him the moniker of “Mr. Terroir .”

Niederoesterreich , Austria

Winery Overview The Pichler family has been making wine in the village of Wösendorf since the late 19th century. The original cellar building, more of a small stall than a winery, was purchased in 1884 and their first vineyards were planted in 1904. In 1997, Rudi Prichler III, took over responsibility of his family’s winery further expanding the vineyards and building a new cellar in 2004. Location of Vineyard Located primarily at the western end of the Wachau Valley, Pichler’s vines cling to the steep, rocky hillsides that hug the Danube River. Various soils, vineyard exposure and the age of the vines combined with a unique microclimate to produce distinct, authentic Pichler wines. Winemaking Philosophy The intensity of work in the vineyards is the foundation of Pichler’s philosophy where he has replaced the term winemaker with wine-caretaker, as his wine is not made in the cellar. As Rudi explains, “Authentic wine is not created in the cellar, but born in the vineyard, gently educated in the cellar and then grown up in the bottle.”