Tegernseerhof, Grüner Veltliner Federspiel, Dürnstein, Wachau, Austria, 2023

Producer Profile

Tegernseerhof has a history that dates back over 1,000 years, with 25 hectares of vineyards located on the finest slopes of the picturesque Wachau region in Austria, formed by the meandering Danube River.

Today the estate is owned and run by Martin Mittelbach, whose family have been managing Tegernseerhof for 5 generations. Inspired by ancient winemaking traditions, Martin is passionate about producing the finest expressions of vineyard and grape variety, whether Grüner Veltliner or Riesling, each wine has its own unique personality.

Viticulture

Tegernseerhof’s vineyards for this wine lie around the historic village of Dürnstein in Austria’s Wachau Valley. The vines are planted on steep, terraced slopes composed primarily of ancient primary rock, which imparts a distinct mineral edge to the wine. Sustainable viticulture is key to the estate’s philosophy—no herbicides or chemical fertilisers are used, and all vineyard work is done by hand due to the steep inclines. The estate is a proud member of the Vinea Wachau association, adhering to its strict quality standards. Harvesting is carried out manually, with careful selection to ensure only healthy, optimally ripe grapes are brought to the cellar, preserving purity and aromatic lift.

Winemaking

In the winery, grapes are gently whole-bunch pressed with minimal skin contact, preserving freshness and aromatic precision. Fermentation takes place with native yeasts in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to retain the Grüner’s crisp varietal character. The wine is aged on fine lees for several months, which adds a subtle creaminess and structure without diminishing vibrancy. No oak is used at any stage, allowing the purity of fruit and the stony terroir to shine through. The finished wine is bottled with minimal intervention, ensuring clarity and precision from vineyard to glass.

Tasting Note

Aromas of green pear, lime zest, white peach and a characteristic dash of white pepper leap from the glass. The palate is dry, taut and electric, offering lively acidity with subtle herbal complexity and a hint of flinty minerality. A fine lees texture gives depth without weight, while the finish is long, saline and mouth-watering. A benchmark wine of clarity and finesse, it’s Grüner at its most honest and expressive.

Food Matching

Grilled sea bass, trout or shellfish, spring vegetables, asparagus or creamy root vegetable gratins.