Craft & Estate Portfolio Book

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

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