Christina: Gelber Muskateller and Kühlbar from Carnuntum
From the newsletter archive. Originally sent 10 June 2026; adapted for the Journal on 29 October 2026.
Two bottles for a new season
Our June 2026 newsletter introduced a new Gelber Muskateller and a new vintage of Kühlbar. Both came from Christina’s organically farmed vines in Carnuntum, where red gravel and loess formed the background to the wines.
The two bottles offered different ways into her style: an aromatic orange wine with gentle texture and a bright red intended to be enjoyed lightly chilled.
Gelber Muskateller: aroma with texture
The Gelber Muskateller spent two weeks fermenting on its skins. That contact built structure while keeping the variety’s expressive perfume at the centre of the wine.
The newsletter’s tasting notes described orange blossom, ripe citrus, apricot and spice. Fresh acidity balanced the fruit, while a little grip gave the wine shape. It was an approachable introduction to skin-contact wines, with texture rather than heaviness.
Kühlbar: a different side of Zweigelt
Kühlbar explored Zweigelt through freshness and fruit. Whole-bunch fermentation and ageing in stainless steel kept the focus on brightness, with red cherry, watermelon, green apple and violet in the tasting notes.
A light chill suited the style. Rather than looking for power or substantial oak influence, the wine showed the lively, direct side of the grape.
The farming behind them
Christina grew up on the family farm in Göttlesbrunn before studying oenology and wine management. The newsletter traced her move towards organic viticulture to 2013 and described a gradual reduction of intervention in the cellar.
Indigenous yeasts, gentle handling and bottling without fining or filtration were part of that approach. Healthy vineyards came first, allowing the wines to retain the character of their fruit and origin.