Weingut Jurtschitsch

Weingut Jurtschitsch is a historic winery run by Alwin and Stefanie Jurtschitsch in the heart of Austria's Kamptal wine region. The couple, who took over the family estate in 2006, are known for their commitment to organic farming and for crafting elegant, terroir-driven wines.

Region

The winery is located in Langenlois, in the Kamptal region of Lower Austria. The vineyards are known for their diverse soil types, which are a defining feature of the wines. They include:

  • Loess and loam: These soils, often found in the lower, warmer sites, give the wines a richer, more textural character.

  • Primary rock: In the steeper, terraced vineyards, the soil is composed of ancient rock formations, including gneiss, mica schist, and sandstone. These soils produce wines with a distinct minerality, precision, and a cool-climate elegance.

The cool winds from the nearby Waldviertel forest contribute to significant day-to-night temperature swings, which helps to maintain the grapes' acidity and aromatic freshness.

Grapes Used

Jurtschitsch focuses on the classic white grapes of the Kamptal, which express the region's diverse terroir particularly well.

  • White Grapes: 🥂 Grüner Veltliner and Riesling are the winery's flagship grapes. They also work with other varieties like Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muskateller.

  • Red Grapes: 🍇 The winery also produces red wines, primarily from Zweigelt, but also with smaller amounts of Pinot Noir and St. Laurent.

Representative Wines and Philosophy

Alwin and Stefanie Jurtschitsch practice certified organic viticulture, and their philosophy is to allow the vineyards to speak for themselves. They believe that healthy, living soils and minimal intervention in the cellar are the keys to producing wines that are authentic and full of character. In the cellar, they use spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts, and their best wines are aged in large, old wooden barrels. They use sulfur only minimally, if at all, before bottling.

Their portfolio is organized into distinct lines:

  • Regional Wines: These are wines that represent the broad character of the Kamptal, such as their classic Grüner Veltliner and Riesling bottlings.

  • Single-Vineyard Wines (Erste Lagen): These are their most important and terroir-expressive wines, from top sites like Zöbinger Heiligenstein and Loiserberg (known for Riesling), and Lamm and Käferberg (known for Grüner Veltliner).

  • "Discoveries from the Winery": This is their experimental line of natural wines, including skin-fermented whites and zero-sulfur bottlings, that pushes the boundaries of traditional Kamptal winemaking.

 

For more information or to inquire about visits, you can contact them directly: