Birgit Braunstein

Biodynamics, Soul & Terroir in Every Bottle

In the gentle slopes of Burgenland, where rock, wind, and water converse quietly, you’ll find Birgit Braunstein, a winemaker whose philosophy is deeply rooted in harmony—with nature, land, and self. Her wines carry not just flavour but a sense of place and intention.

Roots & Awakening

The Braunstein family has farmed vines on the Langstreckhof in Purbach for more than four centuries. Birgit was born on November 16, 1968 in Eisenstadt, and took the reins of the family estate in the mid-1990s—first under the guidance of her father, Paul, and then increasingly on her own.

She released her first vintage under her own name in 1996, a formative trial by fire. By 1999, she began converting the vineyards to organic farming, and by 2009 the estate had achieved Demeter (biodynamic) certification.

Birgit describes her approach to the vineyards and wines with terms like mindfulness, conscientiousness, and intention. For her, a vineyard is not just rows of grapes but a living ecosystem.

Vineyard & Terroir

Her vineyards lie in the Leitha Mountains / Leithaberg DAC zone, with exposures toward Lake Neusiedl. The soils are dynamic: slate, shell limestone, crystalline quartz and mica-schist all come into play, giving her wines textural complexity and mineral energy.

One of her notable vineyards, Goldberg, holds old vines (around 60 years old) that provide depth and character. Across the estate, she fosters biodiversity by integrating animals such as sheep and chickens, alongside wildflowers and other flora.

She views the vineyard as more than a plot to tend—its health depends on the interplay of minerals, plants, animals, and people.

From Grape to Wine: Philosophy & Practices

Birgit’s winemaking is marked by gentle, respectful intervention. She leans toward minimal manipulation, allowing her grapes—and their environment—to assert themselves.

• Fermentation & Vessel Choices
  She uses natural yeasts and ferments in a variety of vessels: stainless steel tanks, old barrels, clay amphorae, and sometimes concrete. Her first amphora experiments date back to 2009.

• Aging & Handling
  Many wines rest on fine lees, often unfined and unfiltered, with limited sulfur additions. She often lets wines mature at their own pace rather than forcing a schedule.

• Varietals & Styles
  Birgit works with an array of grapes—whites like Chardonnay, Welschriesling, Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and reds such as Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt, St. Laurent, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon.
  Some of her more adventurous wines include pétillant naturel rosés and skin-contact whites.

• Balance & Expression
  Her wines are often described as elegant, energetic, transparent, mineral, and tension-filled. They are less about overt power and more about texture, nerve, and clarity.

Recognition, Family, & Legacy

Over the years, Birgit Braunstein has earned acclaim both domestically and internationally as one of Austria’s leading biodynamic producers.

Her social and holistic values extend beyond wine: she is trained in Qigong and yoga, and has co-founded the first Waldorf school in Burgenland.

Birgit has twin sons, Max and Felix, born in 1998, who are now active in the winery.

She frequently emphasizes responsibility not just toward soil and vines, but to her team: many employees have worked with her for more than 15 years.

As she once put it, the winery must think ahead—because “we rent the land from our grandchildren.”