Gruner Veltliner 2022

Christina Netzl's journey in natural winemaking started in her childhood, working on her family's farm and vineyard at the tender age of 5. The family business, located in the Carnuntum winemaking region near Vienna and north of Neusiedler See, eventually focused exclusively on grape growing and winemaking, expanding to a 28-hectare operation. Christina's enology and wine management education in London broadened her understanding of global wine styles.

Returning to the family winery in 2007, Christina's passion for organic viticulture intensified, especially after becoming a mother. The transition to organic practices began in 2013, starting with soil treatments and eliminating herbicides, phasing out pesticides, implementing 100% organic vineyard management, and finally achieving organic production in the winery.

In 2018, they initiated the formal process for organic certification. Over the past decade at the winery, Christina has developed a deep appreciation for ancient winemaking techniques, leading to the launch of a natural line of wines. This range, representing a blend of tradition and organic principles, is a source of pride and an embodiment of her dedication to natural winemaking.

Burgenland, nestled between the Austrian Alps' foothills to the west and Hungary to the east, holds a venerable position in Austria's vinicultural domain. Known as the Pannonian Plain, it extends over 32,200 acres, marking Austria's second-largest winemaking region. Burgenland embodies ancient winemaking traditions, modern viticultural techniques, and a burgeoning community of minimal intervention, natural winemakers.

Today, Burgenland is segmented into four DAC subregions: Mittelburgenland, Leithaberg, Eisenberg, and Neusiedlersee DAC, each exhibiting a distinct viticultural character. Mittelburgenland, a hub for red wines, particularly excels in Blaufränkisch production. Leithaberg, with its profound minerality, sits in northern Burgenland, one of the world's most ancient wine-growing locales. In the southeast, Eisenberg yields tart, tannic Blaufränkisch, while Neusiedlersee DAC, beside Lake Neusiedl, is famed for its sweet, botrytized wines.

Burgenland's geographical composition is a meld of Styrian and Pannonian Basins, hosting a spectrum of soils like sandy gravels, silt to clay sedimentary deposits, alongside limestone and schist. The region's Pannonian climate, a hot continental variant, is conducive to red wine production. The climatic interplay between warm Hungarian air and cooler Alpine breezes from the west extends the growing season, aiding grape acidity retention. Particularly in the Neusiedlersee area, humidity and scattered water bodies augment the growing season, creating a haven for Botrytis (Noble Rot) wines.

Burgenland also nurtures a diverse white wine portfolio despite its red wine prominence. Grapes like Gruner Veltliner and Welchsriesling thrive here, with the climate lending the white wines a ripe, full-bodied character. Near Lake Neusiedl, sweet white wines like Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese, and Eiswines have garnered global acclaim for their concentrated, exquisite profiles. The region's unique Ruster Ausbruch, a botrytized wine from Rust, stands in its own Austrian sweet wine classification. The region's "Zicklacken" lakes further facilitate Botrytis cinerea growth during Autumn.

Blaufränkisch, the quintessence of Austrian red wines, finds its prime cultivation ground in Burgenland. Its often tannic and spicy wines bear blackberry and dark currant notes with a mineral undertone. Zweigelt, a Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent cross, yields tart, fruity wines with spiced cherry and raspberry nuances. St. Laurent, a Pinot Noir progeny, is cultivated in northern Burgenland, producing crisp, fruit-forward red wines.

Burgenland's culinary scene, influenced by its geographical proximity to Hungary, often exhibits a spicy undertone. Goulash and sausages are common, reflecting the local emphasis on utilizing regional meats, produce, and Lake Neusiedl fish. The region's contemporary cuisine often features fish, chicken, and pork, with potatoes as a staple side, harmoniously accompanying the diverse wine offerings of Burgenland.