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Prager
WINERY OVERVIEW
In 1983, the now retired Franz Prager cofounded the Vinea Wachau association, an
organization dedicated to preserving the quality and culture of Wachau wines, while
promoting Wachau’s image beyond Austrian borders.
The marriage of Vienna-born Toni Bodenstein to Franz’s daughter Ilse ushered in a sweeping
renaissance at the Prager winery. These changes not only affected Prager’s philosophy, but
also how Wachauers thought about their vineyards and their work as winemakers.
LOCATION OF VINEYARD
In the 1980s, Prager’s holdings included production of some of the top crus of the region
including Steinriegl and Achleiten, as well as of some of the best examples of traditionally
crafted Wachau wine. However, there was little understanding at that time regarding the
respective potential these special vineyards had and what distinguished one from another.
Bodenstein, a biologist, geologist, historian, and then-aspiring winemaker determined there
was more to learn about the vineyards in relation to the effects of different soil conditions and
climates on the vines. He used this approach to analyze terraces across the zone and became
enamored of the varied terroirs. Based on Bodenstein’s findings, Prager purchased parcels
within certain vineyards, which at the time was a very complicated task.
WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY
As a result of this work, Bodenstein now vinifies Riesling from 8 different vineyards and Grüner
Veltliner from 7 different vineyards, all contained within a total production of less than 10,000
cases. Each bottling carries the hallmark terroir of its vineyard, and each is as distinctive in the
bottle as Bodenstein predicted. The already stellar reputation of the winery has been further
enhanced by Bodenstein’s analysis, and the press has given him the moniker of “Mr. Terroir.”
Owned by:
Toni (Anton) and Ilse Bodenstein
Winemaker:
Toni Bodenstein
Founded in:
1715
Region:
Wachau-Niederösterreich
Country:
Austria
Wines:
Prager, Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Achleiten
Stockkultur
Prager, Grüner Veltliner Federspiel Hinter der Burg
Prager, Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Achleiten
Prager, Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Wachtum
Bodenstein
Prager, Riesling Federspiel Steinriegl
Prager, Riesling Smaragd Achleiten
Prager, Riesling Smaragd Klaus
Prager, Riesling Smaragd Wachtum Bodenstein