Kolfok
Kolfok" is the name of the winery and project of Stefan D. Wellanschitz, a winemaker from a long-standing family estate in Austria. The name "Kolfok" comes from a local Burgenland dialect and means "unconventional thinker" or "contrarian," a fitting description for his philosophy. He's known for his low-intervention, natural winemaking style that departs from his family's more traditional approach.
Region
Kolfok is located in Neckenmarkt, a village in Mittelburgenland (Central Burgenland). This part of Austria is known for its red wines and unique soils. The vineyards are situated in the Ödenburg Mountains at relatively high altitudes, reaching up to 500 meters above sea level. This topography provides a variety of soils, from schist and gneiss to limestone in the higher elevations and ferrous loam and volcanic clay in the lower vineyards. This geological diversity, combined with a Pannonian climate, allows Wellanschitz to craft wines that express a specific sense of place.
Grapes Used
Wellanschitz works with a mix of red and white grapes, prioritizing varieties that showcase the regional terroir.
Red Grapes: 🍇 Blaufränkisch is his most important red grape, a classic of the region. He also uses Zweigelt and other regional varieties.
White Grapes: 🥂 Grüner Veltliner, Pinot Blanc (Weißburgunder), and Welschriesling are his main white grapes.
Representative Wines and Philosophy
Stefan Wellanschitz's winemaking philosophy is centered on being a "wine observer" rather than a "wine maker." He takes a minimalist approach in the cellar, with a core tenet of letting the wine "become" rather than "be made." This includes:
Organic and Biodynamic Farming: The vineyards are farmed organically with biodynamic practices to promote biodiversity and soil health.
No Pumps: Wines are moved by gravity, avoiding pumps to maintain the wine's integrity.
Natural Fermentation: Spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts is the standard.
Minimal Sulfur: Wines are bottled unfiltered, with little to no added sulfur.
His wines are divided into distinct lines to reflect their style and complexity.
Intra! The Wild: A series of experimental wines, including a white wine made with a unique intracellular fermentation process where whole, uncrushed grapes ferment inside the berries, leading to a gentle extraction and an elegant "orange wine" style. The name "Intra" refers to this process.
Querschnitt (Cross-section): A series of wines that showcase the variety of grapes and soils on his estate. These are often blends and are a great entry point into his style.
Single-Vineyard Wines: These wines, such as his Blaufränkisch from the Ried Bodigraben vineyard, are a pure expression of a specific site.
Name: Weingut Kolfok – Stefan Wellanschitz
Adresse: Lange Zeile 28A, 7311 Neckenmarkt, Österreich
Telefon: +43 664 464 8479
E-Mail: kolfok@kolfok.com
Website: kolfok.com