A concentrated Riesling with a smoky, spicy character and a bright thread of citrus running through it. Fresh herbs and delicate floral notes bring lift to the nose, while the palate combines depth with lively acidity and a long, finely drawn finish. There is warmth and intensity here, but also the precision that makes Grabenwerkstatt’s wines so compelling.

Winemakers | Michael Linke & Franz Hofbauer

Region | Spitzer Graben, Wachau, Austria

Variety | Riesling

Style | White

Viticulture | Organic farming with biodynamic principles

Soil | Exposed bedrock with chalk-white inclusions and a very thin humus layer

Single Vineyard

Kalkofen occupies steep, narrow terraces where exposed bedrock lies beneath a very thin covering of humus. Chalk-white inclusions punctuate the exposed rock, a distinctive feature noted by Grabenwerkstatt. The site is intensely hot and receives no irrigation. Michael and Franz describe its wines as smoky, spicy and warm in character.

Vinification

The grapes are carefully selected and harvested by hand. Fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel, followed by extended ageing on the lees. The wine is bottled without fining or filtration, preserving its texture and clear expression of the vineyard.