Christoph Hoch

Location: Hollenburg, Kremstal, Lower Austria
Approach: Demeter-certified biodynamic & natural winemaking

Family Heritage
Christoph is the twelfth generation of winemakers—his family has cultivated vines in Hollenburg since 1640, originally thriving as harbormen on the Danube before transitioning to viticulture when trains reshaped local trade.

Terroir & Inspiration
The estate lies on unique Hollenburger conglomerate soils—a chalk-rich, Alpine-transported mix analogous in minerality to Champagne’s Côte des Blancs. This distinctive “chalky island” terroir inspired Christoph to produce sparkling wines rivaling traditional Champagnes.

Philosophy & Practices
In 2013, Christoph officially branched off from his parents’ holdings and began his biodynamic journey. He now manages 12 hectares of vineyards, farmed organically and certified by Demeter since 2015.

In the cellar, he uses spontaneous fermentations in neutral oak and acacia barrels, blending multiple vintages to add depth and complexity. His approach is minimalist—no filtration, no fining, and no sulfites.

The vineyards teem with biodiversity: mustard, rye, phacelia, and wild herbs support soil vitality, while compost, fermented plant teas, and even vegetable juices nourish the vines.

Wines & Style
Christoph works with a range of Austrian and historical varieties including Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, Zweigelt, Pinot Blanc, Muskat Ottonel, and Blauer Portugieser.

His sparkling wines—Kalkspitz, Kalkreich, Rosé Rurale—are made using the méthode ancestrale (pet-nat style). These wines undergo extended lees aging and are bottled without disgorgement. His first successes even led to a friendly wager with a Champagne producer, resulting in a gift of twelve barrels—an acknowledgment of his sparkling wine skill.

His stated goal: “Wines with good longevity and uniqueness. Wines that aren’t just ‘good’, but wines that inspire emotion!”

Character
Christoph is known for his energetic curiosity and deep thinking. His cellar walls are covered in chalk notes—a reflection of his fusion of experimentation and biodynamics, where nature meets science.