Kremstal Producer Profiles

Fritz Miesbauer and his team cultivate the vines and produce the wines of the Göttweig abbey. The hill opposite Krems on the southern side of the Danube River has been planted with vines since before the abbey's founding in 1083. Saint Altmann, the bishop of Passau, founded the abbey before it was given to the Benedictine Order in 1094. In Austria, the term "Stift" for abbey, rather than Abtei, is due to the historical influence of the Habsburg monarchy, which often established and supported monasteries and abbeys under its own patronage. A Stift is generally a bit more autonomous. Situated on the eastern perimeter of Austria's famous Wachau Valley, perched 449 meters above sea level, the Göttweiger Berg is a superb location for Grüner Veltliner and Riesling, and indeed two sites are classified by the Österreichische Traditionsweingüter (1ÖTW): Ried Gottschelle for Grüner Veltliner, and Ried Silberbichl for Riesling. The vineyards are cultivated according to the standards of Sustainable Austria. The abbey's wines are made at Weingut Stadt Krems's in the city's heart. This modern facility is inserted into and on top of ancient caves, and wine-making is about precision and attentive work. There are no bells or whistles, but there are many small stainless steel tanks for small-parcel vinification, which are always spotless, as is Fritz's hallmark. Grapes occasionally see short macerations on the skins, which give grip and draw out the spicy flavor of Grüner Veltliner. Fritz surrounds himself with talent, and the winery is a joy to represent. Stift Göttweig is the only winery we work with that is not family-owned, but who could tell the difference.