A region of considerable geologic diversity and microclimates, Kremstal extends virtually without border east from Wachau along the Danube River. Its magnificent terraced, rocky vineyards adjacent to Wachau include some of Austria’s most esteemed Riesling vineyards. On the other side of Krems, the vineyards become excessively steep. It is here that Grüner Veltliner thrives in soils of sand, gravel and loess.
Grüner Veltliner and Riesling together comprise two thirds of all of the Kremstal vineyards; the region itself represents about five percent of Austria’s total vineyard area.
The Thiery Weber estate is a picture-book representation of the classic, family winery from the Kremstal region. Located in the village of Rohrendorf, east of Krems, just under 75 kilometers from Vienna, the winery has been rooted in Kremstal for generations.
Today, the Thiery-Weber family cultivates over 17 hectares, comprised of some of the best Kremsatler vineyards, Gebling, Sandgrube and Weinzierlberg, planted 70% to white varieties, principally Gruner Veltliner and Riesling and 30% to red varieties.
Since 2005, the viticulture and winemaking have been over seen by family nephew, Artur Toifl who arrived with extensive, international experience including a stint, as cellar master at Fred Loimer in Langenlois.
The winery practices environmentally friendly viticulture with a “less is more” philosophy. Work in the vineyards is all hand done without the use of any non-biological aids and pays particular attention to intensive greening and biodiversity between the rows of vines.
The indigenous Gruner Veltliner has long maintained its status, as Austria’s most important white grape. Grüner Veltliner is extremely versatile, which pairs with lighter cuisine and also has an affinity for spicy foods and Asian dishes. It shines, however, with foods that are notoriously difficult to pair. The sulfur compounds naturally present in asparagus, for example, can imbue a wine with a highly unpleasant metallic taste, while the cynarin compound in artichokes typically causes the taste of a wine to turn unpalatably sweet. Grüner Veltliner not only manages to avoid these issues and actually serves to complement these and other vegetable dishes.
Crisp and refreshing with lively acidity, backed by a solid streak of minerality, the Veltliner Kaiserstiege is bone dry with complex aromas and flavors of lemon zest, yellow pear and lime with distinctive notes of white pepper, chervil and spice.
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