Meinklang Burgenland Red 2022

Meinklang is a Demeter-certified biodynamic farm operated by the Michlits family in Pamhagen, a village in Burgenland situated within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of National Park Neusiedlersee. The name combines "mein" (my) and "klang" (sound), representing the family's personal harmony with nature. What began as a 60-hectare organic operation in the late 1980s has grown into one of Europe's largest biodynamic farms, now spanning approximately 2,500 hectares across the Austrian-Hungarian border.

The Michlits brothers—Werner, Hannes, and Lukas—each contribute distinct expertise: Werner manages the vineyards and winemaking alongside his wife Angela, Hannes oversees grain cultivation, and Lukas tends the livestock. Their parents, Anneliese and Werner Senior, converted to organic farming when such practices remained uncommon, later achieving biodynamic certification in 2003. After the fall of communism opened the Hungarian border in 1989, the family expanded their holdings to create a self-sustaining agricultural ecosystem.

Central to Meinklang's philosophy is integration between viticulture, livestock, and crop cultivation. A herd of over 300 Angus and Aubrac cattle—featured on every wine label—provides composted manure that fertilizes the vineyards naturally. Ancient grains including spelt, farro, and einkorn grow alongside fruit orchards and vegetable gardens. The family even founded a Waldorf school in the region and produces Urkorn beer from heritage wheat varieties.

In the cellar, Meinklang follows strict minimal-intervention principles: spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts, no reverse osmosis or chaptalization, aging in stainless steel and handmade concrete eggs, and bottling without fining or filtration. The 80 hectares of vineyards produce wines ranging from the approachable Burgenland Red and White to experimental releases in their Nacht and Morgen series.

Explore more from Meinklang: Burgenland White, Mulatschak Orange, Prosa Pét-Nat, and Grüner Veltliner. Browse additional best-selling natural wines.

Burgenland occupies Austria's easternmost territory, stretching along the Hungarian border on the Pannonian Plain. This is Austria's second-largest wine region, encompassing over 32,200 acres of vineyards and holding particular distinction as the country's premier area for red wine production. The region divides into four DAC (Districtus Austriae Controllatus) subregions: Neusiedlersee, Leithaberg, Mittelburgenland, and Eisenberg, each with its own viticultural identity.

Lake Neusiedl dominates the northern portion of Burgenland—a shallow steppe lake whose moderating influence shapes the regional climate. The Pannonian climate brings hot, dry summers with significant sunshine, while the lake extends the growing season well into autumn and creates humidity that can encourage noble rot for world-class sweet wines. Cool nights help preserve acidity in the grapes, balancing the ripeness achieved during warm days.

Soils across Burgenland vary dramatically. The Neusiedlersee area features sandy loam with rocky topsoil and volcanic deposits including basalt, while other zones contain limestone, schist, and clay. This geological diversity allows different grape varieties to find ideal conditions. Red varieties dominate, with Blaufränkisch (the region's signature grape), Zweigelt (Austria's most planted red), and St. Laurent forming the core. International varieties including Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon also thrive here.

Burgenland has become a center for natural and biodynamic winemaking in Austria. The region's dry climate naturally minimizes disease pressure, making organic viticulture practical, while a community of quality-focused producers has embraced minimal-intervention approaches in the cellar. Estates like Meinklang, Heinrich, and Claus Preisinger have gained international recognition for wines that combine regional typicity with ecological responsibility.

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