Precious
Contents
Only hand-selected grapes from Vienna’s best vineyards find their way into each Zahel wine. The care with which each vineyard is cultivated and harvested, carries through to the cellar and ultimately, into each bottle. For a full look at our range of wines, from Gemischer Satz to single- varietal reds and whites and limited-production specialties, visit our online shop.
“We strive to produce charming, elegant wines from Vienna’s best vineyards.”
Alex Zahel
“We strive to produce charming, elegant wines from Vienna’s best vineyards.”
Alex Zahel
Vienna’s most charming wine
Gemischter Satz…
… is a very special field blend, containing at least three grape varietals. These varietals are not only grown together in the same vineyard but harvested and fermented together. Using this method, we’re able to take advantage of the special characteristics of each grape and unify them in one bottle.
Why „mixed“?
Gemischter Satz itself has a long tradition and not only in Vienna. In the past, winemakers frequently cultivated a small, single vineyard and depended on its fruits for their livelihood. With its multiple varietals, “gemischt” or field blend style planting provided stability in terms of yield and quality while making the vineyards less vulnerable to bad weather, diseases and pests. Although the practical aspects of vineyard biodiversity still benefit us today, we have come to value the uniquely harmonious wines that result from a blend of grapes that co-exist from vine to bottle. Our winemaking process aims to preserve the natural balance of aromas, ripeness and acidity that results from this method of winegrowing.
Passion from beginning
to end
The Growing Season
Our vineyards require year- round care and sensitivity to each and every vine. This is why we’ve chosen to follow biodynamic cultivation principles, in accordance with Demeter guidelines. Throughout the year, we depend on skilled hands to maintain and harvest each vineyard, avoiding machines wherever possible. Through the use of composts, floral cover crops and fruit trees planted at the ends of the rows, we hope not only to enrich area biodiversity, but to further beautify the Viennese landscape. For decades, Zahel has avoided the use of herbicides and pesticides and today, has cut them out completely. Over the years, this eye toward sustainability has paid off — many of our vineyards are over 40 years old and thriving. Among these old vines are rare, local varietals such as Orangetraube, Neuburger, Rotgipfler or Zierfandler which lend our wines, and particularly our Gemischter Satz, that certain special something.
The Harvest
When the sun, soil and vines have done their work for the season and the grapes are fully ripe, it’s time to harvest. We wait until just the right moment and for the correct weather conditions to begin, in the earliest case at the end of August, but usually beginning in September. Within a few weeks, each vineyard is carefully harvested 100% by hand. Our expectations for quality are realized only with the help an experienced harvest team.
This group has a special responsibility — their skilled hands ensure that only the best grapes find their way into each bottle of Zahel wine.
Winemaking
In our own cellar, these selected fruits of our harvest become wine. Crushed, pressed, fermented and aged, a good wine results not only from top-quality grapes, but months of careful craftsmanship. This is where the winemaker comes in. For Alex, two key components of Zahel’s signature style are long skin contact and fermentation with only naturally occurring yeasts. Both practices expand and improve the structure and individuality of the wine. With years of experience under his belt, Alex knows where to intervene and where to simply let nature shine. At Zahel, this is the way to distinctive, charming wines.
The final step
Only when the wine is perfect, does it find its way into the bottle — but only temporarily. Truthfully, it belongs in your glass. That’s what we crafted it — to toast, drink and enjoy. Cheers!
The final step
Only when the wine is perfect, does it find its way into the bottle — but only temporarily. Truthfully, it belongs in your glass. That’s what we crafted it — to toast, drink and enjoy. Cheers!
