Claus
Preisinger
Surfer at heart. Sulfite-sensitive soul. The Austrian winemaker who gets headaches from high-SO₂ wines and decided to eliminate them entirely—pioneering Austria's amphora movement while riding the zero/zero wave since 2006.
Born in Eisenstadt in 1980, Claus grew up on the shores of Lake Neusiedl, helping his father with 3 hectares of vines. After formal training at Klosterneuburg and a stint with mentor Hans Nittnaus, he bottled his first vintage in 2000. By 2002, he founded the winery; by 2004, he became the youngest member of the prestigious Pannobile association; by 2006, he converted to biodynamics (now Respekt Biodyn certified); and in 2009, he built his award-winning, futuristic cellar while pioneering amphora ageing in Austria. Today, he farms 19 hectares across 64 micro-parcels in Gols, Weiden, and Mönchhof—proving that "low-tech, instinctive, natural" winemaking begins with obsessive vineyard work. [^27^] [^19^]
The Surfer
"Winemaker/surfer/overall chiller" who draws parallels between reading waves and reading vintages. Grows his own farm animals, practices freediving, and believes balance in the vineyard creates balance in the glass. [^32^]
The Terroirist
Logistical nightmare or vinous playground? Claus calls his 64 parcels across 3 villages "a pain in the backside" but wouldn't change it. From Leithagebirge limestone to Parndorfer Platte gravel, each site harvested separately. [^19^]
The Zero/Zero Doctrine
No cultured yeast. No fining. No filtration. No sulfur added in many cuvées. Just grapes, indigenous yeasts, and the mineral soul of Kalk und Kiesel.
Gols
Home Base · Biodynamic HQ · Limestone & Schist
Weiden
Lake West · Freshness · Wind-protected
Mönchhof
Lake East · Texture · Sandy Soils
Amphora
Since 2009 · Clay Vessels · Micro-oxygenation
Concrete Egg
Suspended Yeast · Constant Motion · Minerality
Sensitive to sulfites since his twenties (bad headaches from conventional wines), Claus began dropping SO₂ levels early. Today, many cuvées see zero additions. "When everything comes straight from the vineyard, there is nothing to do in the cellar." Biodynamic since 2006, Respekt certified, growing chicken feed on the estate. [^19^]
"When you're sensitive, you really feel the difference."— Claus Preisinger on biodynamic intuition
The Wines
Minimalist white labels bearing only his signature. Maximalist expressions of Burgenland terroir. Indigenous varieties dominate—Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch, St. Laurent—plus Pinot Noir that rivals Burgundy through early harvest and whole-bunch amphora ageing. [^21^]
The cult classic—Zweigelt and St. Laurent blended for pure, chillable joy. Bright, juicy, endlessly drinkable with a slight spritz. The "Puszta" (Hungarian steppe) liberated from convention. Serve cold, drink fast. [^21^]
High-density, low-yield vines planted close to the ground—like bonsai trees, trained for concentration rather than volume. Deep, mineral, structured expression of Burgenland's signature red.
Fruity, low-tannin, low-acid rosé that truly lives up to its name. Made from Blaufränkisch with minimal skin contact, fermented and aged without any sulfur additions. The playful side of zero/zero. [^21^]
Harvested mid-August at cool morning temperatures to achieve 11.5-12% alcohol despite Burgenland's warmth. Whole-bunch maceration for one week, aged in 1000L amphorae. Burgundian elegance meets Pannonian sun. [^19^]
Three cuvées per year of ancestral method sparkling. "With pét-nat, you're out of the game already at fermentation—disgorged in apron, sunshine flooding in." Blanc de Noirs made without dosage, without sulfur, without intervention. [^19^]
"Limestone and Pebbles"—the direct translation of Burgenland's soil DNA. Whether white (Pinot Blanc, Grüner Veltliner) or red (Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch), these wines drill down to the mineral substrate of the steppe lake terroir.
Visit & Contact
The futuristic, award-winning winery built in 2009 sits on the outskirts of Gols, 18 kilometers from all 64 parcels. Look for the red conversion van rumbling between Weiden, Gols, and Mönchhof. By appointment.
Address
Gols · Burgenland
North Shore Neusiedlersee
Austria
Website
clauspreisinger.atMethod
Zero/Zero
Respekt Biodyn
Amphora & Egg
Affiliations
Pannobile
Respekt Biodyn
Since 2004/2006