Biodynamically Farmed & Vegan Approved

Our lively wines have subtle corners and edges. And it’s good this way, because we love natural, authentic wines. Each one has a characteristic soul, which develops from the natural flavours of the grapes and the terroir. All this comes to fruition thanks to our biodynamic cultivation. We also work gently and reductively in the wine cellar.

Tasting Notes

The grapes for this Natural Zweigelt come from two particularly old vineyards in Ried Weisleiten on Vienna`s Nussberg. This bright, polished Zweigelt is quite dark and intense, with aromas of black cherries and plum fruit, as well as a subtle touch of herbs and spices. Fine texture and freshness on the palate with an engaging spiciness that leads to a fruity, cool finish.

In the Cellar

Zweigelt from old vines on the Nussberg forms the basis, maceration and longer storage on the skin (9 weeks) leads to an intense and dark berry fruit, as well as a lively tannin structure.

The wine is then not aged in wood, but in concrete eggs, which can breathe in the same way as wooden barrels, but do not bring those typical oak tones nor toasty aromas. Of course, the wine is neither fined, nor filtered, nor sulfurized, just as we do with the mash-fermented white wines of the NATURAL series. After about 6 months of storage, the wine is put together and bottled, and after several months of aging in the bottle, the NATURAL Zweigelt goes on sale in September immediately before the next harvest.

Specifications

This wine represents outstanding value. The red “Prieler Classic”: a typical Blaufränkisch vinified in large wooden cask. 

Tasting Notes

Colour

Brilliant cherry to ruby ​​red

Nose

Classic varietal bouquet with lush fruit aromas (juicy blackberries), fine notes of pepper and elegant spice

Palate

Robust on the palate with a strong structure and fullness, the clear blackberry fruit is juicy the entire palate and lingers on for a long time in the finale!

From the Producer

Blaufränkisch is in our genes. By “our”, I mean my family and the vintners of Leithaberg. We know this variety’s moods and demands. Blaufränkisch in not an easy variety – whether for us or for you. It is capricious, challenging and stubborn. Rooted in limestone, it wants the sun; growing on schist, it requires refreshing winds. It rests preferably in wood, yet the barrels shouldn’t be too small. Of you, it demands patience. Blaufränkisch needs time. If you yield yourself to Blaufränkisch, you will understand why we fulfil all of this variety’s desires. For me, it is one of the few varieties in the world that perfectly balances two elements: energy and clarity.

In the Cellar & Vineyards

The grapes are carefully crushed and fermented at closely controlled temperatures in steel tanks or wooden casks. The character of the variety and the vineyard determines where the wine will mature. For example, the Seeberg pinot blanc will remain in stainless steel to maximize freshness and clarity, the blaufränkisch from Johanneshöhe will be raised in large oak casks, and top crus like Goldberg will mature in barrique.

Prieler’s meticulous work in the vineyard and in the cellar has earned them awards from Falstaff Magazine (2009 “Vintner of the Year”), Vinaria Magazine (“Best wines of Austria” 2012/2013) and was among Jancis Robinson’s top picks for Austrian red wines. Peter Moser, editor-in-chief of Falstaff wrote, “We were extremely impressed by the Prieler family’s high standards in all wine categories and by their sensitive approach to the specific properties of the respective types of vine and the selection of just the right terroir.”

Accolades

91 points James Suckling

"A very attractive blaufrankisch that shows wild cherries, dark plums and a light touch of mocha and coffee. Full-bodied with grippy, chewy tannins and lots of bright blueberries and roasted herbs. Drink now." (12/2019)

91 points Wine Enthusiast

"A hint of tar clings to the plummy and dark-fruit notes on the nose. The palate is laced with freshness that tames that dark dense juicy fruit while peppery hints add interest. It is a very juicy, compact but layered wine with a dry finish. (AK) " (7/2019)

Wine Spectator

"Light- to medium-bodied, with a juicy core of dark berry fruit, blood orange and rooibos tea hints. Sufficient tannins impart a slight grip on the moderately long finish. (AZ, Web Only-2020) "

Specifications

Tasting Notes

Accolades

• Chardonnay BA 2016
  • IWC London: Bronze medal (86 Points)
  Chardonnay BA 2015
  • IWC London: Silver medal (92 Points)
  Chardonnay BA 2010
  • IWC London: Gold medal (95 Points)

Specifications

Tasting Notes

Colour

Medium yellow-green, silver reflections. 

Nose

Inviting bouquet with fine herbal savouriness, fine blossom honey and delicate yellow tropical fruit.

Palate

Complex, juicy palate with fine notes of honeydew melon, well balanced with dark minerality on the finish and good length. 

Producer

The Wachau valley is one of the most beautiful historic landscapes in the world and has been included, since 2000, as part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Here in between the Danube on the one side and the mountains on the other side is the of the village of Spitz located

Five generations of Hirtzbergers have lived here, tending the vines which have been planted in the Wachau Valley the 13th Century. Today wine is produced with all the modern know-how at our disposal, but still following the tradition of the Wachau valley and our family.

Accolades

• 91 points Stephen Reinhardt, Wine Advocate (March 2020)

Specifications

According to myth the Rote Tor (red gate) is part of the old town wall, which was saturated with blood, during the Swedish Wars in 1630. 

Tasting Notes

This is a classic Grüner, savory and lean, yet elegant with just a touch of ripe stone fruit. Federspiel is the middle-level ripeness designation in the Wachau.

The Wine

Benchmark producer Hirtzberger’s top Grüner Veltliner comes from the Rotes Tor 'red gate' vineyard in the western Wachau, a cooler site on mica and schist, leading to a wine that is extraordinarily deep and complex. 

A blend from their Grüner Veltliner vineyards. The grapes are picked 2-3 weeks before the Smaragd harvest. 

Accolades

Specifications

Tasting Notes

Wine

Specifications

From the World Heritage Site and enchanting feel-good landscape - that is the Wachau, the narrow Danube valley between Melk and Krems. A great Riesling—full and generous, yet focused with precise acidity. An aromatic bouquet of yellow apple, pear, lemon, and pineapple. Elegant and balanced with a long, lovely finish.

Tasting Notes

Colour

Medium greenish yellow, silver reflections.

Nose

Inviting nuances of fresh tropical fruit, underlaid with vineyard peach and fresh orange zest, a hint of lime, seductive bouquet.  

Palate

Full-bodied, tight-knit, shows fine fruit expression, fresh acidity, yellow peach, mineral-taut finish, very good length. Secure ageing potential, already very inviting and accessible in its youth. Please let it mature!

Producer

The Wachau Valley is one of the most beautiful historic landscapes in the world and has been included, since 2000, as part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Here in between the Danube on the one side and the mountains on the other side is the village of Spitz.

Five generations of Hirtzbergers have lived here, tending the vines which have been planted in the Wachau Valley in the 13th Century. Today wine is produced with all the modern know-how at our disposal, but still following the tradition of the Wachau Valley and our family.

Accolades

• 96-98 points - Falstaff 2020 

Specifications

Tasting Notes

Colour

Bright yellow green, silver reflections.

Nose

Delicate bouquet, somewhat restrained, with nuances of yellow tropical fruit, and a hint of meadow herbs.

Palate

Elegant, fine sweet fruit, refined acid structure underlay, mineral and long-lasting, with a lemony touch on the back palate, it has development potential.

Producer

Mathias Hirtzberger had a brief career in banking before finding himself drawn back home to the Wachau. His brother Franz is now well established at the famous Franz Hirtzberger estate in Spitz, and wine production seemed more attractive than the world of corporate finance. By happy chance, some family vineyards farmed by another (retiring) Hirtzberger became available at Wösendorf in 2014, and Mathias jumped at the chance to create his own domaine.

More vines from another property in the village also became available to rent at the same time, so he now has 9 hectare estate. He has named the estate Weinhofmeisterei Hirtzberger, and taken some heraldic themes for his labels and wine names, to reflect some of the traditions of the area. The labels feature the coat of arms of St Florian. The monastery of St Florian, located in Upper Austria, had a wine production site in the village from the 13th Century until mid-20th C. A new smart red brick winery was completed just in time for the 2017 harvest.

Accolades

• Falstaff 92 points (2018 tasting)

Specifications

The name of this wine is 'loyalty'. 

Tasting Notes

Colour

Light yellow-green, silver reflections. 

Nose

Expressing a floral yet peppery taste, the wine also boasts a citrus-rich nose of limes and lemons. The grapes are grown in different vineyard plots around the estate, then blended together to showcase the best features of each site. 

Palate 

A bright wine with a yellow and green palate, this wine displays a lovely minerality alongside flavours of white peach, citrus and fine herbs.

Producer

Specifications

Delightful dessert wine from one of Sepp Moser's best single vineyards.

Tasting Notes

Aromas of honey and stone fruit. The palate is opulent with exotic fruit characters balanced by fresh, bright acidity and a lengthy finish.