Weingut Maria und Sepp Muster

Weingut Maria und Sepp Muster is a family-owned estate in the Südsteiermark region of Austria, with a winemaking lineage dating back to 1727. Winemakers Sepp and Maria Muster have become globally recognized figures in the natural and biodynamic wine movements since taking over the estate in 2000. Their viticultural and oenological philosophy is encapsulated by the principle, "more and more of less and less," which emphasizes minimal intervention and a deep trust in natural processes.

Terroir and Viticulture:

The estate's 10 hectares of steeply sloped vineyards are predominantly defined by "Opok" soil, a unique calcareous marl (a mixture of limestone, clay, and silt). This poor, rocky soil composition imparts a distinctive minerality and structure to the wines. The region's Illyrian climate, characterized by warm summers, cool nights, and cold winters, allows for a prolonged ripening season, ensuring high phenolic maturity while retaining essential acidity. The Musters' farming is certified Demeter biodynamic, promoting a self-sustaining vineyard ecosystem and enhancing soil vitality. Their vineyard management eschews herbicides and pesticides, with vines trained on a traditional single-wire system supported by chestnut posts.

Oenology and Winemaking:

In the cellar, the Musters practice a non-interventionalist approach. Grapes are hand-harvested and undergo spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts. The wines are aged for extended periods—typically 18 to 24 months—in neutral wooden ovals and large wooden casks (up to 2400 liters). This long aging on the lees, without being racked or disturbed, contributes to complexity, texture, and stability.

The Musters are particularly known for their orange wines, a style they helped popularize. Their acclaimed "Erde" wine, for example, is a skin-contact blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Morillon (Chardonnay) that spends up to nine months on the skins in a clay amphora-like bottle, drawing inspiration from traditional Georgian methods. The wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered, often without any added sulfur, resulting in a pure and vibrant expression of their unique terroir. The primary grape varieties cultivated are Sauvignon Blanc, Morillon (Chardonnay), Gelber Muskateller, and Zweigelt.