2023 Stift Göttweig Pinot Noir Göttweiger Berg

Stift Göttweig Winery is known as one of the oldest wineries in Austria. A Benedictine abbey, Stift Göttweig was founded in 1083 by Altmann of Passau (also known as Saint Altmann). Since then, the abbey has played a significant role in the development of wine production in the Wachau Valley. Stift Göttweig is situated amidst the rolling countryside on the south bank of the Danube River, opposite the city of Krems, at 449 meters above sea level. Because of this location and the abbey, the winery is also known as the Austrian Montecassino. The Benedictines were responsible for the administration and management until 1988, after which the property was leased until 2005. Since 2006, winegrower Fritz Miesbauer and his team have been re-living this history at the Stift Göttweig estate.

The Stift Göttweig Pinot Noir Göttweiger Berg benefits from the unique microclimate in which the grapes for this 100% Pinot Noir wine grow. The atmospheric currents originating from the Dunkelsteiner Forest and the warmer Pannonian air create this microclimate. The combination of these air currents and the natural humidity of the Danube region creates balanced conditions for optimal grape growth. In addition to the microclimate, the soil composition is also highly varied. The composition of chalky clay, gravel, loess, and sand, combined with the microclimate, ensures optimal development of the Pinot Noir grapes.

Once harvest time arrives in late September, the grapes undergo selection in the cellar, followed by alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Once fermentation is complete, the wine is aged for another 13 months in oak barrels, ultimately developing into an elegant ruby-red wine. The nose reveals aromas of cherries, red berries, vanilla, and a hint of cinnamon. The palate is juicy and balanced with notes of cherry and red berries, followed by a beautifully elegant finish.