The Leithaberg & the Love Affair
Lichtenberger González is an Austrian-Spanish natural wine estate in Breitenbrunn, in the Leithaberg region of Burgenland, Austria — a spirited partnership between husband and wife Martin Lichtenberger and Adriana González that celebrates both their Austrian and Spanish heritage through authentic, terroir-driven wines. Martin, a local to Breitenbrunn in the Leithaberg region, and Adriana, whose home is Galicia, Spain, met during an internship abroad in Sonoma, California, where they were struck by Amor's arrow and decided to realise their dream of owning their own winery in Martin's hometown. Their estate, which they call "the end of the world," is situated on the northwestern side of Lake Neusiedl, in the shadow of the Leitha Mountains — the farthest outcrop of the Alps, where winegrowing dates back as far as the Celts. The estate comprises approximately 9 hectares of organically farmed vineyards on a remarkable diversity of soils: at the very top of the Edelgraben, pure slate; further down, barren limestone soils that provide the tautness and saltiness of the wines; and throughout, a calcareous band of shell-limestone — muschelkalk — that adds a distinctly saline character. With Blaufränkisch, Neuburger, Grüner Veltliner, and Weißburgunder (Pinot Blanc), the winery cultivates exclusively autochthonous local grape varieties with conviction. Everything is organic, with meticulous manual work and a lot of passion. All wines are bottled after spontaneous fermentation, without filtration or fining, and with minimal use of sulfur. Fermentations take place in neutral oak barrels, with extended lees ageing that encourages texture and offers natural protection. Many wines come to market only after 2–3 years of maturation — a patience that is rare in the modern wine world and that produces wines of extraordinary depth, elegance, and longevity. The result is great, terroir-driven and deep natural wines with elegantly integrated acidity and grippy structure — salty, delicate, and with subtle pressures. Adriana and Martin are masters of élevage, giving each wine the time it needs to become as nature intended. Their philosophy is clear and uncompromising: "Winemaking is such an old craft that it no longer needs any innovation. Everything, really everything, that is good about it has long been invented. Much of it already forgotten. Even more buried and much, suppressed by the pursuit of maximum profit and greatest complaisance. So don't expect us to be on the same taste highway as most. On the contrary. We amble along at a snail's pace on byways, making our wines slowly and patiently by hand, the way they have always been made."
The Lichtenberger González Love Affair & the Californian Meeting
The story of Lichtenberger González begins not in Austria, nor in Spain, but in Sonoma, California — where two young winemakers from opposite ends of Europe met during an internship abroad and discovered that they shared not just a profession, but a vision. Martin Lichtenberger, a local to Breitenbrunn in Austria's Leithaberg region, had grown up in one of Central Europe's most distinctive wine landscapes, surrounded by the ancient vineyards of Burgenland and the moderating waters of Lake Neusiedl. Adriana González, whose home is Galicia in the northwest of Spain, brought with her the Atlantic-influenced winemaking traditions of Rías Baixas — a culture of Albariño, granite soils, and maritime freshness that would prove surprisingly complementary to Martin's continental, limestone-and-slate terroir.
Their meeting in Sonoma was not merely professional; it was personal. As Martin recalls, they were "struck by Amor's arrow" — a romantic formulation that captures the spirit of a partnership built on love as much as on wine. In California, they worked alongside each other in the same cellar, learning the techniques of New World winemaking while dreaming of returning to Europe to create something that honoured their respective heritages. The decision was clear: they would realise their dream in Martin's hometown of Breitenbrunn, in the Leithaberg region of Burgenland — a place that Martin describes as "the end of the world," not out of despair, but out of wonder at its remoteness, its beauty, and its capacity to produce wines of extraordinary individuality.
Upon returning to Austria, Martin and Adriana further honed their craft by making wines for established estates in the region — including time spent at the prestigious Heinrich Winery in Gols and at Rosi Schuster, two of Burgenland's most respected names. These experiences provided them with technical rigour, professional networks, and a deep understanding of the Leithaberg terroir that would prove essential when they launched their own label. They also drew inspiration from their friendships within the natural wine community — sharing wines with peers like Stefan at Kolfok and learning from the collective wisdom of a generation of Austrian winemakers who were redefining what Central European wine could be.
The Lichtenberger González estate was founded around 2015, though the exact date is less important than the intention: to create a winery that combined Martin's Austrian roots with Adriana's Spanish sensibility, that honoured the ancient traditions of the Leithaberg while embracing the freedoms of natural winemaking, and that produced wines not for mass appeal but for genuine expression. Their commitment was clear from the beginning: organic viticulture, spontaneous fermentation, long élevage, minimal sulfur, no filtration, no fining. These were not marketing positions; they were practical necessities born of conviction — the belief that wine, like love, cannot be rushed, manipulated, or standardised. It must be allowed to become what it is meant to be, in its own time, with its own character.
Since its founding, Lichtenberger González has grown from a passionate new project into one of Austria's most exciting natural wine estates, with distribution across Europe, North America, and beyond. The wines are recognised for their depth, elegance, and unmistakable terroir character — expressions of slate, limestone, and muschelkalk that could not come from anywhere else. The estate's reputation is built not on volume or hype, but on patience, precision, and the kind of quiet excellence that comes from winemakers who trust their instincts and their land. As one importer noted after tasting their Grüner Veltliner: "I have consumed many Grüners in my time but this was something different, emotional. Not just a great Austrian wine, but one of the greatest wines — full stop — I had tasted in a long time." This is the Lichtenberger González magic: two souls, one wine, and a love affair that began in California and continues to unfold in every bottle from Breitenbrunn.
"Every single one of our (few) wines is a reflection of our two souls and yet still feels at one with itself, with us and with the world."
— Martin Lichtenberger
The Leithaberg & the End of the World
The Leithaberg is one of Austria's most distinctive and historically significant wine regions — a range of hills that forms the farthest outcrop of the Alps, rising from the northwestern shore of Lake Neusiedl in Burgenland. Winegrowing here dates back as far as the Celts, making it one of the oldest continuously cultivated viticultural areas in Central Europe. Unlike the warmer, more famous regions of Burgenland to the south, which are dominated by red grapes like Blaufränkisch and Zweigelt, Leithaberg offers a unique diversity of soils and microclimates that are well suited to both red and white grape growing — a geological and climatic complexity that has attracted some of Austria's most visionary winemakers.
Lichtenberger González is located in Breitenbrunn, on the northwestern side of Lake Neusiedl, in the shadow of the Leitha Mountains — a truly exceptional place between the Leithagebirge and the lake. The estate manages approximately 9 hectares of organically farmed vineyards, situated on a remarkable diversity of soils that is rare even within the already complex Leithaberg region. At the very top of the Edelgraben — the estate's highest vineyard site — you will find pure slate and schist, soils that infuse wines with distinct minerality, tautness, and a smoky, graphite-like character. Further down the slope, barren limestone soils provide the tautness and saltiness that define the estate's white wines. And throughout the vineyards, a calcareous band of shell-limestone — muschelkalk, as it is referred to locally — adds a distinctly saline note that is the hallmark of the Leithaberg terroir.
The farming at Lichtenberger González is rigorously organic — a commitment that is not certified but lived. No synthetic fertilisers, no herbicides, no pesticides. The vineyards are surrounded by trees and dense biodiversity, creating a natural ecosystem that supports vine health without chemical intervention. Soils are cultivated to promote microbial diversity and deep rooting. Harvesting is done entirely by hand, with strict selection in the vineyard — only the healthiest, most perfectly ripe fruit makes it to the cellar. The viticultural approach is meticulous and manual, reflecting Martin and Adriana's belief that great wine begins with great farming, and that there is no technological shortcut for the patience and attention that organic viticulture demands.
The climate is continental, moderated by the proximity to Lake Neusiedl — a large, shallow steppe lake that provides thermal inertia and humidity, softening the extremes of the Austrian summer and winter. The Leitha Mountains create a rain shadow that protects the vineyards from excessive precipitation, while the elevation of the slopes provides diurnal variation that preserves acidity while allowing full phenolic ripeness. This is a climate of tension and balance: warm days for ripeness, cool nights for freshness, dry conditions for concentration, and the lake's moderating influence for stability. These are conditions that have produced exceptional wine for over two millennia, and that continue to yield grapes of remarkable quality when farmed with the care and respect that Martin and Adriana bring to every decision.
The varieties cultivated at Lichtenberger González represent a focused selection of Austria's indigenous and heritage grapes, each chosen for its suitability to the Leithaberg terroir and its capacity to express the estate's unique geological diversity. Blaufränkisch — Austria's most important red variety, known for its peppery, steely, graphite-like character and its extraordinary capacity to translate terroir. Grüner Veltliner — Austria's signature white grape, with its signature white pepper spice, green apple freshness, and ability to develop extraordinary complexity with age. Neuburger — an aromatic white variety that adds texture, floral lift, and a distinct nutty character to the estate's whites. Weißburgunder (Pinot Blanc) — a variety that provides clarity, elegance, and a subtle almond note. Welschriesling — a workhorse variety that contributes acidity, citrus freshness, and mineral depth. Rotberger — a red variety that adds colour, fruit, and softness to blends. These are not international clones; they are Austrian grapes with Austrian identity, and they are the voice of Lichtenberger González in every bottle.
Town of Breitenbrunn, northwestern shore of Lake Neusiedl, Leithaberg region, Burgenland, Austria. In the shadow of the Leitha Mountains — farthest outcrop of the Alps. Winegrowing since Celtic times. Continental climate moderated by Lake Neusiedl. A place of exceptional geological and climatic diversity.
Soil: pure slate and schist at Edelgraben (minerality, tautness, graphite). Barren limestone further down (saltiness, structure). Calcareous shell-limestone — muschelkalk — throughout (distinct saline character). A remarkable diversity within 9 hectares. The source of the estate's complex, layered terroir expression.
Rigorously organic, uncertified but lived. No synthetic fertilisers, herbicides, pesticides. Vineyards surrounded by trees and dense biodiversity. Soils cultivated for microbial diversity and deep rooting. Hand-harvested with strict selection. Meticulous manual work. Agriculture as ecosystem, not monoculture.
Blaufränkisch (Austria's great red, peppery, steely, graphite). Grüner Veltliner (signature white, white pepper, green apple). Neuburger (aromatic white, texture, floral, nutty). Weißburgunder (Pinot Blanc, clarity, elegance, almond). Welschriesling (acidity, citrus, mineral). Rotberger (red, colour, fruit, softness).
The Neutral Oak & the Snail's Pace
At Lichtenberger González, the winemaking philosophy is one of extreme patience, minimal intervention, and profound respect for the natural processes of fermentation and ageing — a commitment to allowing the distinct character of the Leithaberg terroir and the quality of organically farmed fruit to shine through with the least possible manipulation. All wines are produced with spontaneous fermentation in neutral oak barrels, using only indigenous yeasts. White grapes are pressed as whole clusters along with their stems; most red grapes are destemmed. Fermentation is quick, and punch-downs are all done by hand to avoid over-extraction and preserve the purity and vibrancy of fruit. Extended lees ageing — often 2–3 years — encourages texture, offers natural protection, and develops the complex, layered character that defines the estate's wines. No filtration, no fining. Sulfur is used minimally, only when required for stability. This is not modern, technologically driven winemaking; it is ancient craft, patiently revived — "the way they have always been made," as Martin puts it, "slowly and patiently by hand."
The vinification process is meticulous and deeply traditional. The grapes are hand-harvested from organic vineyards across the estate's diverse soils, then transported to the cellar where they are either whole-cluster pressed (for whites) or gently destemmed (for reds). Fermentation occurs spontaneously in neutral oak barrels — large, used barrels that provide no wood flavour but gentle micro-oxygenation and a stable environment for the wild yeasts to do their work. The barrels are not temperature-controlled; the cellar's natural coolness provides all the stability the wines need. Punch-downs are performed by hand, not by machine, ensuring that extraction is gentle and that the wines retain their freshness and vibrancy rather than becoming heavy or over-extracted.
A defining feature of the Lichtenberger González approach is the extended élevage — the long, patient maturation on lees that transforms young, fermenting wine into the complex, layered expressions that reach the market. Many wines come to market only after 2–3 years of maturation, a patience that is virtually unheard of in the modern wine industry, where speed to market is often prioritised over quality. This extended ageing is not merely storage; it is an active process of transformation, during which the wines develop texture, stability, and the subtle, savoury complexity that only time and lees contact can provide. The lees — the dead yeast cells and grape solids that settle after fermentation — act as natural antioxidants and textural agents, protecting the wine from oxidation while adding a creamy, mouth-filling quality that complements the estate's naturally high acidity.
"Grüner Veltliner" — The Emotional Signature: The Grüner Veltliner is Lichtenberger González's most celebrated and emotionally resonant wine — made from Austria's signature white grape, fermented in neutral oak with extended lees ageing, and bottled without filtration or fining. It is the wine that first captured the attention of international critics and that continues to define the estate's reputation for excellence. In the glass, it is pale gold with bright clarity. The nose offers white pepper, green apple, citrus zest, and a distinct herbal note — the classic Grüner markers, but expressed with an intensity and precision that speaks of the Leithaberg's limestone and muschelkalk soils. The palate is medium to full-bodied, with vibrant acidity, a grippy texture from lees ageing, and a long, savoury, mineral finish that seems to unfold in layers. It is a wine of both immediate appeal and hidden depth — the kind of wine that makes you understand why one sommelier described it as "not just a great Austrian wine, but one of the greatest wines — full stop." Serve at 10–12°C. Age 3–10 years. ~€18–€28 / ~$20–$30 USD.
"Muschelkalk Weiß" — The Saline Snapshot: The Muschelkalk Weiß is Lichtenberger González's most terroir-expressive white blend — a cuvée that combines Grüner Veltliner, Welschriesling, and Weißburgunder (Pinot Blanc) to create a snapshot of the varying soils and exposures in Adriana and Martin's Leithaberg vineyards. The name "Muschelkalk" refers to the shell-limestone calcareous band of soil that runs through much of the estate's organic vineyards, adding a distinctly saline note that is the wine's defining characteristic. In the glass, it is pale straw with brilliant clarity. The nose offers bergamot tea, white citrus, grapefruit pith, delicate spring blossoms, and wet stone — a complex bouquet that speaks directly of the vineyard's geology. The palate is medium-bodied, with elegantly integrated acidity, a grippy structure, and a long, salty, mineral finish. It is not an "entry-level" wine; it is an exceptional snapshot of the entire vineyard site, expressed through multiple grape varieties that grow together there. The 2022 vintage is 12.5% ABV. Serve at 10–12°C. Drink young to medium term. ~€16–€24 / ~$18–$26 USD.
"Muschelkalk Rot" — The Peppery Red: The Muschelkalk Rot is Lichtenberger González's most approachable and terroir-driven red — a blend of Blaufränkisch and Rotberger that captures the freshness-meets-concentration magic that defines the estate's red wines. The dominating Blaufränkisch lends a peppery, steely graphite vein that is the hallmark of this Austrian variety — a signature of the Leithaberg's limestone and slate soils. In the glass, it is deep ruby with garnet reflections. The nose offers black pepper, dark cherry, plum, and a distinct mineral, smoky note from the muschelkalk. The palate is medium to full-bodied, with firm but ripe tannins, vibrant acidity, and a long, complex, savoury finish. It is a wine that demonstrates why Blaufränkisch is considered Austria's greatest red grape — its capacity to translate terroir with precision and elegance, without the heaviness that can plague lesser expressions. The 2021 vintage is 13.5% ABV. Serve at 14–16°C. Age 3–8 years. ~€18–€28 / ~$20–$30 USD.
"Weißburgunder" (Pinot Blanc) — The Long-Aged White: The Weißburgunder is one of Lichtenberger González's most patiently crafted wines — a Pinot Blanc that is aged for 2–3 years before release, developing a depth and complexity that belies the variety's reputation for simplicity. Fermented in neutral oak with extended lees contact, it is a wine of extraordinary texture, nutty complexity, and mineral length. In the glass, it is pale gold with bright clarity. The nose offers almond, white peach, honeysuckle, and a subtle cheesy, leesy note that speaks of the long ageing. The palate is full-bodied, with a creamy texture from lees, vibrant acidity, and a long, savoury, mineral finish. It is a wine for the patient — proof that Pinot Blanc, when handled with the same respect as Chardonnay or Grüner Veltliner, can achieve a level of sophistication that rivals the world's finest whites. Serve at 10–12°C. Age 3–7 years. ~€18–€26 / ~$20–$28 USD.
"Tres Cuartos" — The Welschriesling Expression: The Tres Cuartos is Lichtenberger González's most distinctive and layered Welschriesling — a wine that takes a variety often dismissed as simple and transforms it into something deeply filigreed and complex. The name "Tres Cuartos" — "three quarters" — refers to the wine's composition or perhaps to the patience required to make it. Fermented in neutral oak with extended lees ageing, it develops notes of sourdough bread, quince, lemon balm, Williams pear, and pomace — a deeply layered and aromatic profile that evolves continuously in the glass. In the glass, it is pale gold with a slight haze. The nose is intoxicating in its complexity — bread, stone fruit, herbs, and a distinct mineral note. The palate is medium to full-bodied, with a grippy texture, vibrant acidity, and a long, complex, lingering finish. It is a wine for the discerning — an exemplary bottle from this young estate that demonstrates what Welschriesling can achieve when treated with patience and respect. Serve at 10–12°C. Age 3–7 years. ~€18–€26 / ~$20–$28 USD.
"Leithaberg Rot" — The Structured Red: The Leithaberg Rot is Lichtenberger González's most structured and age-worthy red — a Blaufränkisch-based cuvée that represents the estate's vision for the great reds of the Leithaberg. Aged for 2–3 years before release, it develops a depth, complexity, and tannic structure that places it among the finest expressions of Austrian red wine. In the glass, it is deep ruby with garnet reflections. The nose offers black pepper, dark cherry, blackberry, smoke, and a distinct graphite note from the slate soils of the Edelgraben. The palate is full-bodied, with firm tannins, high acidity, and a long, complex, savoury finish that seems to echo the vineyard itself — the limestone, the slate, the muschelkalk, and the quiet determination of Martin and Adriana. It is a wine of celebration and contemplation, meant for ageing but equally rewarding when decanted and enjoyed in its youth. Serve at 16–18°C. Decant. Age 5–12 years. ~€22–€32 / ~$24–$35 USD.
"Gold.Brunn" — The Sparkling Celebration: The Gold.Brunn is Lichtenberger González's sparkling expression — a pet-nat or traditional method sparkling wine that captures the estate's philosophy in effervescent form. Made from estate-grown grapes and fermented with wild yeasts, it is a wine of extraordinary freshness, vitality, and subtle complexity. The name "Gold.Brunn" — "golden well" — evokes the mineral springs of the Leithaberg and the golden hue of the wine itself. In the glass, it is pale gold with a fine, persistent mousse. The nose offers citrus, white flowers, bread dough, and a distinct mineral note. The palate is light to medium-bodied, with vibrant acidity, a creamy texture, and a long, refreshing, mineral finish. It is the perfect aperitif — a wine that opens the palate and the conversation, that celebrates the moment and the place. Serve at 6–8°C. Drink young. ~€18–€26 / ~$20–$28 USD.
Vessels & The Cellar: The Lichtenberger González cellar in Breitenbrunn is a place of patience and intention — a working winery where neutral oak barrels are the primary vessel, not for flavour but for the gentle micro-oxygenation and textural development that only wood can provide. The barrels are large and used, their oak influence long since exhausted, leaving only the porous structure that allows wine to breathe and evolve. The cellar is cool and dark, with natural temperature stability provided by the earth and the proximity to Lake Neusiedl. There is no technological climate control, no stainless steel tanks for fermentation, no rush to bottle — just the ancient rhythm of fermentation, lees ageing, and gravity bottling that has defined great wine for centuries. As Martin and Adriana tend their barrels, tasting evolution, monitoring development, and waiting for the precise moment when each wine is ready, they are not merely making wine; they are continuing a conversation that began with the Celts in this same region, with these same grapes, in this same limestone and slate — a conversation about place, patience, and the enduring magic of wines that honour the land they come from and the love that makes them.
"Grüner Veltliner" — "Pale Gold, Bright Clarity — White Pepper, Green Apple, Citrus Zest, Herbal Note — Medium-Full Body, Vibrant Acidity, Grippy Lees Texture, Long Savoury Mineral Finish — Not Just a Great Austrian Wine, But One of the Greatest Wines — Full Stop"
The Grüner Veltliner is Lichtenberger González's most celebrated and emotionally resonant wine, its signature white expression, and the liquid testament to everything Martin Lichtenberger and Adriana González believe about Austrian indigenous grapes, the Leithaberg terroir, and the transformative power of patience, love, and minimal intervention. It is not merely a white wine; it is an emotional experience — a wine that one sommelier described as "something different, emotional. Not just a great Austrian wine, but one of the greatest wines — full stop — I had tasted in a long time." The name — Grüner Veltliner, "green Veltliner" — evokes the grape's signature white pepper spice, its green apple freshness, and its deep connection to the limestone, muschelkalk, and slate of the Leithaberg.
The viticulture is organic across the estate's 9 hectares in Breitenbrunn, in the shadow of the Leitha Mountains. The Grüner Veltliner vines are tended with no synthetic fertilisers, no herbicides, no pesticides — just meticulous manual work, hand-harvesting, and respect for the natural rhythms of the vineyard. The continental climate of Burgenland, moderated by Lake Neusiedl, provides perfect conditions for grapes of purity and aromatic intensity. The diverse soils — pure slate at the Edelgraben, barren limestone further down, calcareous muschelkalk throughout — force the vines to struggle, to dig deep, to extract the minerals and complexity that define the wine. The result is grapes of extraordinary depth and character — grapes that carry the imprint of Breitenbrunn, the Leitha Mountains, and the patient, loving stewardship of Martin and Adriana.
In the cellar, the grapes are whole-cluster pressed along with their stems and fermented spontaneously with native yeasts in neutral oak barrels — large, used barrels that provide no wood flavour but gentle micro-oxygenation and a stable environment for the wild yeasts. There is no added yeast, no enzymes, no temperature control, no excessive manipulation. The fermentation is quick, and punch-downs are all done by hand to avoid over-extraction and preserve the purity and vibrancy of fruit. After fermentation, the wine remains on its lees for an extended period — often 2–3 years — developing texture, stability, and the subtle, savoury complexity that only time and lees contact can provide. There is no fining, no filtration, minimal sulfur only when required — just the pure expression of Grüner Veltliner, time, and the patient, loving hands of two winemakers who understand that the best wines require the least forcing, and the most time.
In the glass, it is pale gold with bright clarity — the colour of Leithaberg mornings filtered through mist from Lake Neusiedl. The nose offers white pepper, green apple, citrus zest, and a distinct herbal note that speaks of the limestone and muschelkalk soils — a complex weave of spice, fruit, and mineral that evokes the Leitha Mountains, the cooling forests, and the centuries of winemaking tradition that have defined this region. The palate is medium to full-bodied, with vibrant acidity that provides both structure and longevity, a grippy texture from extended lees ageing, and a long, savoury, mineral finish that seems to echo the vineyard itself — the slate, the limestone, the muschelkalk, and the quiet determination of Martin and Adriana, all present in every sip.
The Grüner Veltliner is a wine of celebration and contemplation — it pairs beautifully with grilled fish, roasted vegetables, spicy Asian cuisine, or simply with good bread and the fat of Austrian or Spanish cuisine as the afternoon light filters through the vineyards of Breitenbrunn. Serve at 10–12°C. It is meant to be enjoyed with joy and gratitude, though it will develop beautifully over 3–10 years in the cellar, gaining tertiary complexity, a deeper, more integrated texture, and the kind of petrol-inflected, nutty depth that only great Grüner Veltliner can achieve. Every bottle is a testament to the power of a visionary Austrian-Spanish love affair, the beauty of an indigenous creation, and the enduring magic of wines that honour the Grüner Veltliner, the Leithaberg, the love between Martin and Adriana, and the fearless spirit of Lichtenberger González. ~€18–€28 / ~$20–$30 USD.
The Lichtenberger González Range
Martin Lichtenberger and Adriana González produce a focused portfolio of natural wines from approximately 9 hectares of organically farmed vineyards in Breitenbrunn, Leithaberg, Burgenland, Austria. All wines are spontaneously fermented with indigenous yeasts in neutral oak barrels. White grapes whole-cluster pressed with stems; red grapes mostly destemmed. Hand punch-downs to avoid over-extraction. Extended lees ageing — often 2–3 years. No filtration, no fining. Minimal sulfur only when required. Many wines released only after 2–3 years of maturation. Portfolio includes whites, reds, blends, and sparkling. Prices are approximate and in USD/EUR.
Lichtenberger González is an Austrian-Spanish natural wine estate in Breitenbrunn, Leithaberg, Burgenland, Austria. Founded around 2015 by Martin Lichtenberger (Austria) and Adriana González (Spain), who met during an internship in Sonoma, California. Approximately 9 hectares organic vineyards on diverse soils: pure slate at Edelgraben, barren limestone, calcareous muschelkalk (shell-limestone). Indigenous varieties: Blaufränkisch, Grüner Veltliner, Neuburger, Weißburgunder (Pinot Blanc), Welschriesling, Rotberger. Spontaneous fermentation in neutral oak barrels. White grapes whole-cluster pressed with stems; red grapes mostly destemmed. Hand punch-downs. Extended lees ageing — often 2–3 years. No filtration, no fining. Minimal sulfur only when required. Many wines released only after 2–3 years maturation. Portfolio: Grüner Veltliner (signature white), Muschelkalk Weiß (white blend), Weißburgunder (long-aged white), Tres Cuartos (Welschriesling), Muschelkalk Rot (red blend), Leithaberg Rot (structured red), Gold.Brunn (sparkling). Philosophy: "Winemaking is such an old craft that it no longer needs any innovation. We amble along at a snail's pace on byways, making our wines slowly and patiently by hand, the way they have always been made." Featured by The Grape Reset, Drops Wine, The Road Wine Imports, RAW WINE, Wine Searcher, Vivino, Raisin, Wine Monger, Weinfurore, Folkways Wines, Star Wine List, and major natural wine platforms. Recognised as one of Austria's most exciting natural wine estates and a benchmark for patient, terroir-driven Leithaberg expression.
-
Lichtenberger González
Address: Seestraße 42, 7091 Breitenbrunn am Neusiedler See, Burgenland, Austria
Phone: +43 664 34 26 861
Email: office@lichtenbergergonzalez.at