Domäne Wachau, managed by Roman Horvath MW and Heinz Frischengruber, is not only one of the most important wine estates in Austria, but also an association of over 40 winegrowers and winegrowing families.
Some of these are very small and micro-enterprises - sometimes run as a sideline and always managed with great passion and personal commitment in an artisanal and sustainable manner.
"Our winegrowers are unique, full of character, vine whisperers, veterans, creative spirits, young up-and-comers and experienced winemakers. With our cellar master Heinz Frischengruber, they have a mentor at their side who always accompanies and supports them."
Typical of the region are the steep terraces, which often do not allow any machine labour. In addition to plant and soil care, the members of the domain also look after the preservation of the dry stone walls and embankments of the Wachau UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Despite its small geographical area, the Wachau has a high degree of soil diversity, from which the Domain benefits thanks to the large number of farms. These oldest rocks in Austria, the "Bohemian Massif", are the remaining base of an ancient mountain range. Gföhler gneiss and paragneiss of the Wachau were once deep rocks or sediments that have changed under great pressure and heat in the earth's mantle and now form the basis of the Wachau soils.
In order to bring out the origin, vintage and variety as precisely as possible, vinification is carried out almost without intervention, through "controlled inactivity". Following the DAC system, the Domäne offers Veltliner and Riesling as regional, local and vineyard wines. The community is a member of VINEA WACHAU, which sets strict conditions for itself. For example, the improvement of the wines (chaptalisation) is strictly prohibited.
photos: Domäne Wachau
