The Stift Klosterneuburg winery, Austria's oldest wine producer, is making history with its groundbreaking production of a Wiener Gemischter Satz with DAC status, crafted entirely from PIWI grape varieties.
This remarkable achievement is set to showcase the innovative spirit of the winery, blending centuries of tradition with cutting-edge agricultural techniques.
Founded in 1114, Stift Klosterneuburg has built an unshakable reputation for its exceptional wines, nurtured in one of Austria’s most storied cellars. As a winery that has been growing grapes for nearly 900 years, Stift Klosterneuburg continues to evolve, and its latest project is a perfect example of how tradition and modernity can go hand in hand.
In 2025, the winery will plant three PIWI grape varieties—Donauriesling, Donauveltliner, and Souvignier Gris—on a one-hectare plot on the Nussberg in Vienna. According to Wines of Germany, the term "PIWI", an abbreviation of the German term “Pilzwiderstandsfähige Reben”, stands for fungus-resistant grape varieties that show particularly strong resistance to the vine diseases powdery and downy mildew. More importantly, these varieties have now been officially listed in the Austrian quality wine register, making it possible for Stift Klosterneuburg to produce a Wiener Gemischter Satz with DAC status.
The significance of this achievement cannot be overstated. Stift Klosterneuburg will become the first winery in Austria to offer a Wiener Gemischter Satz DAC that is composed entirely of these advanced, disease-resistant varieties. The result will be a wine that not only embodies the quality and heritage of Austrian winemaking but also embraces the future of sustainable viticulture.
Stift Klosterneuburg’s dedication to quality is evident in its approach to vineyard management. The winery cultivates its grapes across four distinctive wine-growing areas: Klosterneuburg, Vienna, Gumpoldskirchen, and Tattendorf. This diversity of terroirs ensures that each variety is grown under the best possible conditions, producing wines that reflect the unique characteristics of their origins.
The blend of centuries of winemaking expertise with a forward-thinking approach to sustainability positions Stift Klosterneuburg as a pioneer in Austria's wine scene. As the winery continues to evolve, its wines remain a testament to the unbreakable connection between tradition and innovation, producing wines of exceptional quality year after year.
Source: Der-Winzer