Lichtenberger González

Overview & Identity

Lichtenberger González is a small, family-run winery located in Breitenbrunn, within the Leithaberg hills of Burgenland, Austria. Founded by Martin Lichtenberger, a native of the region, and Adriana González, originally from Galicia, Spain, the estate is built on a shared philosophy of crafting wines that faithfully express their origin through minimal intervention and traditional craftsmanship.

The couple combines Austrian precision and Spanish warmth in both vineyard and cellar, working deliberately and intuitively to produce wines that reflect the soils, slopes, and microclimate of Leithaberg.

Vineyards & Terroir

The estate manages approximately 4 hectares of vineyards in and around Breitenbrunn, situated on the eastern slopes of the Leithaberg range near Lake Neusiedl.

• Soils: Dominated by limestone (Muschelkalk) and slate, with patches of loam and calcareous marl. These geological formations impart salinity, structure, and minerality to the wines.

• Climate: The proximity to Lake Neusiedl provides a moderating influence, ensuring cool nights, warm days, and balanced ripening conditions.

• Viticulture: The vineyards are dry-farmed and organically managed. No irrigation, synthetic fertilizers, or systemic treatments are used. Vineyard work is performed manually, with careful canopy management and green harvesting to ensure optimal ripeness and balance.

• Yields: Maintained at 35–45 hl/ha to concentrate fruit quality and preserve the expression of individual parcels.

Grape Varieties

The winery focuses on native and regional Austrian varieties, selected for their ability to translate Leithaberg’s soils and climate into pure, textural wines.

• White Varieties: Grüner Veltliner, Welschriesling, Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc), and Neuburger.

• Red Varieties: Blaufränkisch is the cornerstone of red production, complemented by small amounts of Pinot Noir and Zweigelt used in blends and rosés.

Each grape is treated according to its character—Grüner Veltliner and Neuburger express limestone-driven salinity and tension, while Blaufränkisch delivers depth, precision, and fine mineral tannins.

Winemaking & Cellar Practices

All wines are made using natural fermentation with indigenous yeasts and minimal cellar manipulation. The philosophy is to guide the wine gently through its natural evolution rather than control it.

• Fermentation: Whites undergo spontaneous fermentation, often with a short period of skin contact before pressing. Reds are fermented in open wooden vats with hand punch-downs for gentle extraction.

• Aging: Wines mature on the fine lees in large, neutral oak barrels or old wooden casks for extended periods (typically 10–18 months). Lees stirring is minimal, allowing natural integration of texture and flavor.

• Additives & Treatment: No fining agents are used, and filtration is avoided whenever possible. Minimal sulfur is added only at bottling, and no chemical corrections are made.

• Bottling: Each lot is handled separately to preserve vineyard identity. Wines are bottled according to lunar and seasonal cycles to align with natural rhythms.

Production & Wine Style

Annual production remains small, typically under 25,000 bottles, emphasizing quality and precision.

Lichtenberger González wines are characterized by:

• Purity and mineral tension, a hallmark of limestone and slate soils.

• Moderate alcohol and high natural acidity.

• Textural depth and subtle oxidative nuances from long lees contact.

• Elegance over power, emphasizing balance, restraint, and finesse.

Signature wines include:

• Muschelkalk Weiss – A limestone-driven white blend of Grüner Veltliner, Welschriesling, and Weissburgunder.

• Muschelkalk Rosé – A delicate rosé made from Blaufränkisch, Pinot Noir, and Zweigelt, aged in neutral oak for one year.

• Leithaberg DAC Blaufränkisch – A structured, mineral red expressing the depth and saline edge of Leithaberg limestone.

Philosophy & Vision

For Martin and Adriana, wine is not a product but a translation of place. Their work is guided by patience, intuition, and respect for nature. Fermentations are unhurried, cellar interventions minimal, and decisions are made only when the wine itself indicates readiness.

Their guiding principle—“two souls, one harmony”—captures the dual influence of their backgrounds and their shared devotion to craftsmanship. Each bottle embodies the meeting of two cultures and one landscape, expressing the quiet intensity of Leithaberg through clarity, precision, and balance.