Prager

Wachstum Bodenstein Grüner Veltliner

Prager

Wachstum Bodenstein Grüner Veltliner

When Franz Prager co-founded the Vinea Wachau in 1983, he had already established a reputation as one of Austria’s best winemakers. The marriage of Franz’s daughter, Ilse, to Dr. Toni Bodenstein in the 1990s was the catalyst for sweeping renaissance at the winery. Bodenstein, a biologist, geologist and historian, spent years studying the geology of the region and focused much of his attention on preserving genetic diversity. His “Arche Noah” project, a planting of old Grüner Veltliner and Riesling clones is the result of his work. Bodenstein’s scholarly approach, passion for biodiversity, and brilliant winemaking has elevated Prager to the highest echelon of Austrian wine producers.

Tasting Notes

Light straw yellow in color with aromas of white peach, gooseberry, kiwi, and lime. On the palate, the wine is pleasantly fruity and backed by a streak of minerality and zesty acidity.

Food Pairing

Pair with salmon sashimi, lemon-butter risotto, or dijon tilapia cakes.

When Franz Prager co-founded the Vinea Wachau in 1983, he had already established a reputation as one of Austria’s best winemakers. The marriage of Franz’s daughter, Ilse, to Dr. Toni Bodenstein in the 1990s was the catalyst for sweeping renaissance at the winery. Bodenstein, a biologist, geologist and historian, spent years studying the geology of the region and focused much of his attention on preserving genetic diversity. His “Arche Noah” project, a planting of old Grüner Veltliner and Riesling clones is the result of his work. Bodenstein’s scholarly approach, passion for biodiversity, and brilliant winemaking has elevated Prager to the highest echelon of Austrian wine producers.

Tasting Notes

Light straw yellow in color with aromas of white peach, gooseberry, kiwi, and lime. On the palate, the wine is pleasantly fruity and backed by a streak of minerality and zesty acidity.

Food Pairing

Pair with salmon sashimi, lemon-butter risotto, or dijon tilapia cakes.

Vineyard & Production Info

Vineyard name:
The Wachtum Bodenstein vineyard
Vineyard size:
2 acres
Soil composition:
Rocky and Silty-Loam
Elevation:
830-1,030 feet
Vines/acre:
3,520
Yield/acre:
1.6 tons
Exposure:
Southern / Southwestern
Year vineyard planted:
1997
Harvest time:
October
First vintage of this wine:
2007
Bottles produced of this wine:
2,600

Winemaking & Aging

Varietal composition:
100% Grüner Veltliner
Fermentation container:
Stainless steel tanks
Length of alcoholic fermentation:
32 days
Fermentation temperature:
64 °F
Type of aging container:
Stainless steel tanks
Length of aging before bottling:
7 months
Length of bottle aging:
2 months

Analytical Data

pH level:
3.3
Acidity:
5.5 g/L
Alcohol:
14 %
Dry extract:
26.4 g/L
Residual sugar:
3.9 g/L

About the Vineyard

Wachtum means “Growth” or “Cru”. These young vines represent a nursery of sorts. Starting in 2000, Toni has assiduously collected and planted here over 100 different clones of Grüner Veltliner and with 2007 released the first wine from this site. The idea is to demonstrate a vibrant expression of the variety and also to protect and preserve the biodiversity of the grape variety. To further enhance the singular character of this wine the vineyard is planted to reclaimed terraces that had overgrown with forest due to decades of neglect, located at the very top of the Achleiten hillside.