Vitikultur Moser, Kremstal, Austria

The Moser family is one of Austria’s grand, traditional viticultural dynasties with roots dating back to the the 12th Century. The most famous recent descendant of this family is the renowned viticulture pioneer Dr. Lenz Moser, who in the 1950s developed vine training called the “Lenz Moser system” but it was not until 1987 that the Vitikultur Moser estate re-invented in into its current state. In 2000 Nikolaus Moser took over the management of the winery building a state-of-the-art facility. In 2006 Official move to certified biodynamic viticulture (DEMETER) and in 2009 they released the first officially certified organic wines.

• Vineyards: 51 hectares (126 acres), of which 24 hectares (59 acres) are in Rohrendorf and 27ha (67acres) are in Apetlon
• Yield per hectare: 2.700 – 5.500 kg (depending on site and vintage)
• Main varietes:    Rohrendorf: Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc.
• Apetlon: Zweigelt, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Muskat Ottonel, Sämling 88
• Certification: Austria Bio Garantie and Demeter

Kremstal Vineyards(Lower Austria): 95% of the Kremstal-vineyards are located in Terraces with up to 45% steepness and are planted with white varieties. The philosophy of sustainability continues in the wine-cellar at the Rohrdorfer Atrium house as a “less is more” strategy. The fermentation of the wines are spontaneously, enzymes and “cosmetic” interventions are avoided. This area is characterized by a permanent exchange of air masses with differing temperatures. While in the east, continental dry and hot air comes up the Danube valley, the cool air from the Waldviertel region to the north streams down the valley of the Krems river. As a result, there are repeated, significant drops in temperatures, especially at night – something that favours the fruitiness and freshness of the wines.

The Kremstal vineyards are terraced, composed of loess and conglomerate soils, mainly south-facing, and planted with white varietals. Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, and even the red Blauburgunder (Pinot noir), are cultivated on an area of 24 ha (60 acres).

Neusiedlersee Vineyards: In the village of Apetlon there’s the second of the Moser family’s estates. Here, in the Burgenland “Seewinkel” – the corner in the east of lake Neusiedl, Zweigelt is the most important variety within a red wine share of 80%. Merlot and Cabernet play an important role in the red cuvée Banfalu.
With an altitude of only 114 metres (374 feet), Apetlon is the lowest spot in Austria. At the same time, the region has the most days of sunshine in the country. Because the climate of this region is influenced by Lake Neusiedl, even various Mediterranean fruits and vegetables prosper here. And Nikolaus Moser’s ancestors had recognized that these conditions are ideal, particularly for growing grapes for red and sweet wines. The Moser Family has cultivated vineyards in Apetlon since 1960.
Soils consist of deep “Tschernosem” (black earth), with parts heavily laced with gravel. Estate’s 27 ha (67 acres) of vineyards are flat or slightly undulated and, Zweigelt is the most important variety by far with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot also planted. Every year Pinot Blanc, Muskat Ottonel and Sämling 88 (Scheurebe) are vinified into dry white and well as dessert wines of the highest quality.

Key Burgenland Vineyard Sites

Hedwighof: 14 ha (35 acres). The vines of these vineyards are up to 36 years old. Planted with Zweigelt in 1970, today they provide the grapes for the Zweigelt “Grosse Reserve“. Also planted here are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Reflecting the terroir, the wines tend to feature a mild salty touch. Only Hedwighof is acknowledged as a denomination for Moser´s classic Zweigelt; none of the other wines have a site denomination.
Hollabern: 10 ha (25 acres). Since the mid-1990s, the Sepp Moser estate has leased these vineyards from the Apetlon parish. These are planted with Zweigelt, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay and Muskat Ottonel.
Fuchsenloch: 3 ha (7 acres). The Fuchsenloch site is considered one of Apetlon’s best. Since 2003, these vineyards have been leased and planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot blanc and Sämling 88. The structure and complexity of the soils ensure the high quality of the grapes.

Key Kremstal Vineyard Sites

Gebling: 8.5 ha (21 acres). The first documentation of the Gebling sites dates back to 1284. It is assumed that the name originates either from the colour of the soil or from the yellow autumn leaves (as in Cote d’Or). The partly-overlapping terraces are up to 700 metres long and are south-facing. The soil consists of conglomerate rock, on which the vines Chardonnay, Grüner Veltliner, Riesling and Blauburgunder (Pinot noir) are cultivated at a slope inclination of up to 45%. The wines from Gebling are characterized by their distinct minerality and expression – but despite their high maturity, they are never heavy.
Schnabel: 1.4 ha (4 acres). The Schnabel site is located east of Rohrendorf , and in fact, faces east as well. The upper layer of soil consists mainly of loess, while the subsoil is stony conglomerate. Grüner Veltliner and Sauvignon Blanc are cultivated here. The wines from the Schnabel show an extremely high maturity.
Breiter Rain: 2.5 ha (7 acres). The five terraces are exposed to the south and planted exclusively with Grüner Veltliner. The site is not too steep and consists of loess and conglomerate rock soils. Because Breiter Rain protrudes from the vineyard, there is resulting ventilation, and the grapes remain longer on the vine, healthy, and reach high concentrations.

Classic Style Grüner Veltliner

• varietals: Güner Veltliner
• soil type: conglomerate in subsoil
• fermentation: stainless steel

Güner Veltliner, Reid Gebling

• varietals: Güner Veltliner
• soil type: conglomerate rocks in subsoil
• fermentation: stainless steel tanks

Pinot Blanc

• varietals: 100% Pinot Blanc/Weissburgunder
• soil type: humus-rich black earth soil, partly strong, crisscrossed with crushed stone
• fermentation: 250 L oak barrels

Classic Style Zweigelt

• varietals: Zweigelt
• soil type: deep, dark humous soils well streaked with gravel
• fermentation: stainless steel

Zweigelt, Ried Hedwighof

• varietals: Zweigelt
• soil type: humus-rich black earth soil, partly interspersed with gravel
• fermentation: stainless steel red wine fermentation tank, 14 days mash contact

Fundamental Grüner Veltliner

• varietals: Güner Veltliner
• soil type: conglomerate weathered soil
• fermentation: stainless steel