Martin Obenaus

Letting Nature Lead the Way

In the heart of Austria’s Weinviertel, in the village of Glaubendorf, Martin Obenaus is carving a path of restraint, ecology, and expressive wine. His belief is simple yet profound: the best wines emerge when the winemaker steps backand allows nature to assert itself.

Roots & Vision

Martin is rooted in his home region—he farms from Glaubendorf and sees his vineyards not merely as production plots but as living ecosystems in microcosm. His guiding credo is “Unchained”: a commitment to freeing his vineyards from excessive manipulation and allowing the natural cycles of soil, flora, fauna, and climate to shape the grapes.

He formally took over the family estate in 2014, and the shift toward organic and biodynamic practices began well before. He started working biodynamically around 2012, with official conversion following in later years.

Vineyard Philosophy & Farming

• Scale & Conversion
  Martin cultivates about 25 hectares of vineyards in the Weiner­vier­tel region using biodynamic principles.
  The transition to biodynamics was motivated by his conviction that active soil life leads to healthier vines, deeper root systems, lower intervention, and greater resilience against disease.

• “Unchained” as a guiding principle
  The “Unchained” line of wines is his attempt to go further than minimal intervention: he gives wines time, reduces human interference, and allows expression to unfold gradually. These wines commonly age for two years before release.
  He uses large, old oak barrels (some as large as 4,000 L) to allow gentle oxygen uptake without imposing oak flavors.

• Biodiversity & Holistic Care
  Martin builds biodiversity into his vineyard landscapes: insect hotels, compost teas, and cover plantings are among his tools. He also uses sheep to graze in vineyards to enhance soil fertility.
  He sees parallels between hunting (his personal interest) and viticulture: both deal with balance, ecosystems, and human responsibility. He views himself as someone striving over time to make his role less necessary, so nature may reassert itself.

Style & Wines

• Wine Lines

  • MO: This base series reflects his more managed touch. Whites in MO are aged in stainless steel, while reds see large, older oak barrel aging.

  • Unchained: This is his more “hands-off” project. Wines in this line are allowed more time, less intervention, and express terroir with edges—wines might ferment or mature in steel or large wood, depending on need.

• Varietals & Blends
  His whites include compositions of Grüner Veltliner, Müller-Thurgau, Riesling, and more. His reds include Zweigelt, Rösler, and mixes aimed at fresh expression and lower alcohol.
  One example: MO Weiss (a white blend) is largely made by direct pressing, fermenting in stainless steel, and carrying minimal sulfur, to emphasize crispness and minerality.

• Winemaking Approach
  Fermentations are natural (indigenous yeasts). Wines are often unfined and unfiltered. Sulfur additions are kept minimal and used judiciously at bottling.
  He balances clarity and structure: low alcohol, bright acidity, and simplification over complexity.

Recognition & Character

Martin Obenaus is increasingly recognized in circles of natural, organic, and biodynamic wine for his integrity, ambition, and respect for nature. His project is seen as a young but significant voice in Austrian wine, especially for those seeking wines with edge, character, and terroir transparency.

His MO Weiss is praised for its clean, crisp minerality, flinty notes, and vivid acidity—even at modest alcohol levels. His reds and “Unchained” bottlings push boundaries, seeking nuance rather than power.

Essence & Philosophy

Martin Obenaus represents a modern archetype: the winemaker as guardian, not dictator. His philosophy is about letting go—intervening when necessary, but trusting that soil, climate, vine, and vintage will tell the story.

His wines are not safe or slick—they can be sharp, they can show bones—but they are honest. They ask the drinker to lean in, to listen. For Martin, wine is not about control but about relationship: with land, with time, and with unfolding.