Franz Strohmeier

Franz Strohmeier is a legendary and philosophical winemaker from Austria, known for his radical dedication to natural winemaking. He and his wife, Christine, operate a small estate and are pioneers of biodynamic principles. He is a contrarian who rejects conventional winemaking and instead focuses on expressing the truest form of the terroir.

Region

The Strohmeier winery is located in West Styria (Weststeiermark), a region often called the "Green Heart of Austria." His vineyards are on the steep slopes of the Geschriebenstein, with soils of gneiss, schist, and loamy opok (a mix of clay and silt). These soils are rich in iron and silica, which impart a distinct mineral character to his wines. The climate is cool and Illyrian, with regular rain and cool air from the nearby Koralpe mountains, creating long growing seasons that allow for slow and steady ripening.

Grapes Used

Franz Strohmeier is a master of the region's unique grape varieties, and is particularly known for his work with a native red grape.

  • Red Grapes: 🍇 Blauer Wildbacher is his most important grape, from which he makes his famous reds and rosés (traditionally known as Schilcher). He also grows Zweigelt.

  • White Grapes: 🥂 He cultivates Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Muskateller.

Representative Wines and Philosophy

Strohmeier's philosophy is "to produce a unique wine, you only need grapes and the expression of the harvest, without adding or subtracting anything." He and his wife have been working biodynamically since 2003, though they are not officially certified. They believe in fostering biodiversity, even allowing some vines to grow without pruning. He has famously experimented with using whey instead of copper sulfate to protect his vines. In the cellar, his approach is completely hands-off:

  • Spontaneous Fermentation: All wines are fermented with native yeasts.

  • No Additives: He adds zero sulfur to his wines, an extremely difficult feat.

  • Minimal Intervention: His wines are never filtered or fined.

His wines are released in distinct lines that express his unique, experimental approach.

  • "Trauben, Liebe & Zeit" (Grapes, Love & Time): This is his most celebrated line, a collection of zero-sulfur wines that are a pure expression of their vintage and terroir. The name itself reflects his minimalist philosophy.

  • "Schilcher" and "Lys-rød": A key part of his portfolio, these wines are made from the Blauer Wildbacher grape. "Schilcher" is the traditional name for the light red/deep rosé wine of the region, and he has also adopted the Danish name "Lys-rød" ("light red"), which reflects the wine's character and his strong relationship with the Danish market.

  • Sparkling Wines: He produces a range of sparkling wines, including some from the Blauer Wildbacher grape, made with a traditional second fermentation in the bottle.

 

📍 Address

Wein- und Sektmanufaktur Ing. Franz Strohmeier
Lestein 148
8511 Sankt Stefan ob Stainz
Austria
📞 +43 3463 80235
📧 info@strohmeier.at
🌐 strohmeier.at