Johannes Zillinger
Johannes Zillinger is a fourth-generation winemaker who is pushing the boundaries of natural and biodynamic winemaking in Austria. He took over his family's 350-year-old winery and has since transformed it into a leading example of sustainable, low-intervention practices.
Region
The Zillinger winery is located in Weinviertel, Austria's largest wine region, in the village of Velm-Götzendorf, not far from the border with Slovakia. The area is known for its rolling hills and diverse soils, including loess and limestone-sandstone. Zillinger's vineyards are situated on both cool, north-facing slopes and warmer, south-facing hilltops, which allows him to achieve a balance between ripeness and acidity.
Grapes Used
Zillinger works with a mix of classic Austrian and international grape varieties.
White Grapes: 🥂 Grüner Veltliner is his main focus. He also works with Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Muskateller (Yellow Muscat), and Pinot Blanc.
Red Grapes: 🍇 Zweigelt, St. Laurent, and international varieties like Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
Representative Wines and Philosophy
Johannes Zillinger's approach is rooted in a deep respect for the land. His father was an organic farming pioneer in the 1980s, and Johannes has taken that a step further by converting the vineyards to Demeter-certified biodynamics. He believes that healthy soil and vibrant vineyards are the foundation of great wine, and he implements practices like using horses for cultivation, growing his own herbs for vineyard treatments, and encouraging a diverse ecosystem with animals like sheep and pigs.
In the cellar, he is a minimalist, but a highly creative one. He uses spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts, and is known for his experimental use of a variety of vessels, including Georgian amphorae, large wooden barrels, and stainless steel. His wines are often unfiltered and have little to no added sulfur.
His wines are organized into distinct series that reflect his philosophy:
"Velue" Series: Named after the old name of his village, this is his entry-level line of wines. They are fresh, lively, and approachable, designed for everyday drinking. They are known for being a true expression of the Weinviertel terroir.
"Numen" Series: These are his more serious, single-varietal wines, often aged with extended skin contact or in a particular style to showcase the grape's complexity. For example, his Numen Fumé Blanc is a skin-fermented Sauvignon Blanc aged in amphorae, resulting in a rich, textured orange wine.
"Revolution" Series: This is his most experimental line. He uses the solera system, a method of blending wines from different vintages, to create wines of incredible depth and complexity. This series includes a white, a pink, and a red solera wine, all of which are natural, unconventional, and highly sought after.
Johannes Zillinger is a forward-thinking winemaker who combines his family's legacy with a modern, rebellious spirit. His wines are a testament to his belief that nature, when given the chance, can produce truly revolutionary results.
Adresse: Landstraße 70, 2245 Velm-Götzendorf, Österreich
Telefon: +43 676 635 7881
E-Mail: jz@velue.at
Website: zillinger.at
Instagram: @velue.at
Facebook: @velue.at