Rudi Pichler

Grüner Veltliner Ried Achleiten Smaragd

Grüner Veltliner

Rudi Pichler

Grüner Veltliner Ried Achleiten Smaragd

Grüner Veltliner

The Pichler family has been making wine in the village of Wösendorf since at least the late 19th century. The original cellar building, more of a small stall than a winery, was purchased in 1884 and their first vineyards were planted in the town of Wosendorf in 1904. The modern winery was built in 2004 near Rudi´s private home. After some initial wanderlust and the pursuit of various other interests – academic and commercial – Rudolf Pichler IV returned to the family winery with a seed of an idea. He had no formal training other than his memories of his grandfather and his instincts for great wine.

Tasting Notes

Pale gold in color, with aromas of apples, anise, honeysuckle, white pepper and lime. On the palate the wine has firm acid, weighty mouthfeel and fine minerality lasting through the finish.

Food Pairing

Pair with bacon-wrapped chicken breast, grilled pork tenderloin, or pan-seared sea scallops.

The Pichler family has been making wine in the village of Wösendorf since at least the late 19th century. The original cellar building, more of a small stall than a winery, was purchased in 1884 and their first vineyards were planted in the town of Wosendorf in 1904. The modern winery was built in 2004 near Rudi´s private home. After some initial wanderlust and the pursuit of various other interests – academic and commercial – Rudolf Pichler IV returned to the family winery with a seed of an idea. He had no formal training other than his memories of his grandfather and his instincts for great wine.

Tasting Notes

Pale gold in color, with aromas of apples, anise, honeysuckle, white pepper and lime. On the palate the wine has firm acid, weighty mouthfeel and fine minerality lasting through the finish.

Food Pairing

Pair with bacon-wrapped chicken breast, grilled pork tenderloin, or pan-seared sea scallops.

Sustainable Practices
Old Vines

Vineyard & Production Info

Vineyard name:
Achleithen
Soil composition:
Gneiss and Rocky
Training method:
Cane-pruned
Elevation:
726-1,188 feet
Vines/acre:
1,800
Yield/acre:
1.2-2.16 tons
Exposure:
Southwestern
Year vineyard planted:
1970
Harvest time:
November

Winemaking & Aging

Varietal composition:
100% Grüner Veltliner
Fermentation container:
Stainless steel tanks
Length of alcoholic fermentation:
14 days
Fermentation temperature:
64-72 °F
Malolactic fermentation:
no
Fining agent:
Vegan
Type of aging container:
Stainless steel tanks
Size of aging container:
1000-5000L
Length of aging before bottling:
7 months
Length of bottle aging:
1 month

Analytical Data

Acidity:
5.3 g/L
Alcohol:
13.5 %
Residual sugar:
4.6 g/L

About the Vineyard

Smaragd is the Wachau designation for dry late harvest wines, above 12.5% alcohol through natural fermentation.  From extremely steep, southwest exposed terraces with meagre, Gföhl gneiss soils.  This mineral pure Grüner demonstrates the extraordinary quality of this site.