Vorspannhof Mayr Grüner Veltliner 2023

Vorspannhof Mayr is a historic wine estate located in Droß, Niederösterreich, at the northeastern edge of the Kremstal wine region. The property dates back over 500 years and originally served as a horse relay station where travelers changed draft horses before ascending into the Waldviertel region. The estate's name, Vorspannhof, translates to "relay station," reflecting this historical function.

The Mayr family acquired Vorspannhof in 1898, with the original purchase contract documenting two wine cellars, a press house, a stable, a ballroom, and two dining rooms. Anton Mayr, father of current proprietor Silke Mayr, transitioned the operation from general agriculture to specialized viticulture. Under Anton and his wife Brigitta Mayr, the estate developed a reputation both as a winery and as a respected inn. The restaurant operated until 2012, when Brigitta retired and the estate began focusing exclusively on wine production.

Silke Mayr has managed Vorspannhof Mayr since 2008, supported by her mother Brigitta and cellarmaster Michael Nastl. In 2006, Silke established a collaboration with Walter Buchegger, whose family holdings are in Gedersdorf east of Krems. Together they constructed a modern shared winery facility in Droß where both estates vinify their wines. Following Walter Buchegger's passing, Silke has managed both estates since 2018.

The estate farms approximately 13 to 14 hectares of vineyards across prime Kremstal sites, including Kremser Gebling, Marthal, and Kremsleithen. Vineyard soils consist of loess, conglomerate, gravel, and brown earth. Vorspannhof Mayr produces exclusively white wines, fermenting and aging them in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and varietal character. The winemaking philosophy emphasizes minimal intervention and respect for terroir.

Vorspannhof Mayr became a member of Österreichische Traditionsweingüter in 2020. Silke Mayr consistently ranks among Austria's top female winemakers according to Vinaria and Falstaff magazines, recognized for producing site-specific Grüner Veltliner and Riesling wines that express Kremstal's distinctive terroir.

Kremstal is an Austrian wine region located in Niederösterreich (Lower Austria), centered around the historic town of Krems an der Donau, approximately 77 kilometers northwest of Vienna. The region encompasses roughly 2,200 to 2,450 hectares of vineyards distributed across three distinct geographical zones: the city of Krems and its western Stein district, the Krems valley with its loess terraces to the east, and small wine villages south of the Danube surrounding Göttweig Abbey, a Benedictine monastery founded in 1072.

The region lies between two notable Austrian wine areas—Kamptal to the north and Wachau to the southwest. The Krems River flows through the region from west to east before joining the Danube. Kremstal experiences a continental climate characterized by warm summers, cold winters, and notable diurnal temperature variation. The region sits at a climatic confluence where cool, moist influences from the Waldviertel plateau meet warm, dry conditions from the Pannonian Plain to the east.

Soil composition varies across Kremstal. Western areas near Krems feature weathered primary rock soils including paragneiss, granite gneiss, and amphibolite, ideal for Riesling cultivation. Eastern zones contain deep loess deposits and gravel, particularly around Rohrendorf and Gedersdorf, which favor Grüner Veltliner. South of the Danube, soils range from loess and primary rock to gravel and crystalline granulite.

Since 2007, Kremstal has operated under DAC (Districtus Austriae Controllatus) designation, permitting only Grüner Veltliner and Riesling for regional classification. Grüner Veltliner accounts for approximately 60% of plantings, with Riesling representing 11%. The DAC system includes three quality tiers: Gebietswein (regional wine), Ortswein (village wine), and Riedenwein (single-vineyard wine), plus Reserve wines. Notable single vineyards include Pfaffenberg, Gebling, Sandgrube, Wachtberg, and Steinbühel. Other varieties like Zweigelt, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir are produced under the broader Niederösterreich designation.