Niederoesterreich
, Austria
Winery Overview
Established in 1452, the original purpose of this winery was to provide revenue for the hospital in Krems. The estate
bottled wines of the city’s own winery have always been a source of pride for its residents, but over the years the
winemaking itself became perfunctory and lacked distinction. Since 2003, many Stadt Krems vineyards have been
replanted and revitalized and the cellar has undergone a renovation and expansion. Fritz Miesbauer and his young,
ambitious team now craft their wines in the stainless steel tanks of a pristine but technically simple cellar. With a
compact range of six offerings sourced from a variety of soils and handled by careful and adept managers, the
wines display both the minerality and the juiciness of the Kremstal.
Location of Vineyard
Located within the Krems city limits, the Krems Valley is defined by two different soil profiles: the rolling highlands
and the eastward falling slopes of the “Bohemian Massif.” Made up of various types of gneiss, whose weather beaten
forms make up the original Urgestein (primary rock) of the terraced vineyards is excellent soil for growing Riesling.
The loess was formed in the most recent Ice Age some 300,000 years ago and mainly found on the southern and
southeastern slopes of the Krems vineyards providing optimal conditions for growing the famed Grüner Veltliner of
Krems, with a lot of spice and fine structure.
Winemaking Philosophy
Fritz and his colleagues aim to produce wines with a clean, fresh profile that are enjoyable to drink and are typical
of the region. They start with great vineyard sites, planted with the correct varieties for their soil profiles. The grapes
are selected without influence of botrytis, fully ripe but clean. Fermentations take place in stainless steel tanks.
Vienna
, Austria
Winery Overview
The Wieninger winery was founded as part of the traditional Viennese heurigen (winebar) system established in
the 18th century. Born in 1966, Fritz Wieninger, represents the fourth generation in the current house. Emerging
from his own training in the wake of the Austrian Wine Scandal of 1985, Fritz spent a year working vineyards in
California. It was during this time that he became convinced the future of Austria lay in making wines of great
quality and distinction.
Location of Vineyard
It is unique to Vienna that wines poured there are grown within the city limits. Fritz has worked diligently to acquire
and develop classical vineyard sites for Veltliner and Riesling, while also carefully cultivating red wine vineyards
planted with both native and international varieties. More recently he has led the revival of the Wiener Gemischter
Satz tradition, excelling in the production of these multi-varietal field blends.
Winemaking Philosophy
Geh-mish-ter Sah-ts (the “mixed set”) more of a description of a vineyard than a wine style, these mixed vineyards
were the traditional way to plant when the main concern for the producer was to prevent crop damage or loss due
to weather patterns or disease. Today’s young, inspired winemakers led by Fritz, have discovered in these old mixed
plantings a taste and a wine that is, as Fritz puts it, “All of Vienna in one glass.”
