Tegernseerhof Bergdistel Grüner Veltliner Smaragd, Wachau, Austria 2022

Tegernseerhof 2022 'Bergdistel' Grüner Veltliner Smaragd, Wachau, Austria

The historical roots of Tegernseerhof go back over 1000 years. Holy Roman Emperor Henry II granted the Benedictine monastery of Tegernsee two oxgangs of land in Wachau. In 1176, Tegernseerhof was built and named after its owner. Today, Tegernseerhof is owned by the Mittelbach family. The winery has been in their possession for five generations. The name has been preserved, like the ancient knowledge of viniculture, passed on from one generation to the next. 

Winemaker: Martin Mittelbach

Farming: Sustainable

Variety: Grüner Veltliner

Terroir: The Tegernseerhof vineyards are located on the best slopes of the Wachau region. They are characterized by steep terraces of primary rock, with optimal exposure to sun and wind. Wines labeled with the name Bergdistel are a blend of many different small plots not big enough to be made into their own wines. Some of the grapes also come from further west of Dürnstein, closer to Weissenkirchen, home to many great vineyards, most notably (for me) Achleiten. Tegernseerhof’s renditions of these wines are his most generous in the Smaragd category. They are another great example of drink-it-don’t-think-it fabulous Smaragd Rieslings that don’t hold anything back immediately upon opening.

Soil: The soils are mostly composed of the great acidic bedrock (which they refer to as “primary rock”) gfogel gneiss, and a bit of loess.

Vinification: Grapes are harvested by hand in small bins, and are whole cluster macerated 6-36 hours. Primary fermentation lasts between 1-2 months and is kept below 23 degrees C. The wines sometimes make natural malolactic fermentation.

Aging: Stainless steel for 6-9 months on the lees, filtered but not fined before bottling.

Tasting Notes: Tegernseerhof’s renditions of the Bergdistel wines are his most generous in the Smaragd category. They are another great example of drink-it-don’t-think-it fabulous Smaragd wines that don’t hold anything back immediately upon opening.