Zillinger

CARMEN AND HERBERT ZILLINGER

"Radical Authenticity from the Weinviertel"

Herbert and Carmen

In the heart of Austria's Weinviertel, Herbert Zillinger crafts wines that challenge conventions and have little or nothing to do with the mainstream in the Weinviertel, both in terms of character and quality. Working together with his wife Carmen they create profound wines that combine power with subtlety, and vitality with inner calm.

"One of the most exciting wine producers anywhere!" Jancis Robinson

HONEST WINES

"Our signature and the soil on which our grapes grow are recognized in our wines. We never trim our wines for a better rating. If people like them the way they are, then we are happy."

The vineyards cover 16 hectares of vines on loess, clay and limestone soils in the Hirschenreyn (Ebenthal) and Kalkvogel (Ollersdorf) vineyards. Certified biodynamic viticulture is practiced according to the rules of respekt-BIODYN. This includes fertilization with composted horse manure and pomace to build up humus and revitalize the soil. Artificial irrigation is deliberately avoided in order to clearly express the terroir.

ZILLINGER 2021" LIMITED EDITION - Late Filling

A masterpiece from what Zillinger considers the vintage of the century. This limited special edition represents the absolute best of 2021, carefully selected from the finest grapes across their top vineyards. The wine's complexity comes from its unique maturation process - fermented and aged in a combination of wood, concrete, and steel, with portions aged under flor yeast. Deep gold in color, it presents an intriguing array of mature Grüner aromas with remarkable intensity and richness. The wine shows exceptional purity and refinement, with an underlying spice character and pronounced minerality. As Jancis Robinson notes, it's a perfect match for both roast chicken and creamy, savory pâtés. A timeless wine built for decades of aging.

NEULAND Grüner Veltliner 2023

Neuland represents Herbert Zillinger's profound talent for creating depth even in his entry-level wines. This unfiltered Grüner Veltliner offers a masterclass in precision and purity. Sourced primarily from loess soils, it challenges the notion that Veltliner from these sites must be broad-shouldered and fruity. Instead, it delivers surprising spiciness and profound mineral depth. With bright citrus notes, fine reduction, and remarkable freshness, it demonstrates how biodynamic farming can elevate even young vineyards to produce wines of exceptional character. Despite its modest 11.5% alcohol, it delivers remarkable complexity and vitality.

SPRING BREAK Rosé

From Zweigelt vines growing in loess soils comes this refreshing and characterful rosé. Spring Break embodies the perfect balance between lightness and structure that makes Austrian rosé so compelling. At 12% alcohol, it maintains wonderful freshness while delivering satisfying body and texture. The wine showcases Zillinger's ability to create wines of both immediate pleasure and subtle complexity, making it perfect for both casual enjoyment and thoughtful appreciation.

HORIZONT Grüner Veltliner

Horizont is where Herbert Zillinger's mastery of Grüner Veltliner truly shines. This wine practically bounces with energy, offering an intense aromatic profile of ripe stone fruits and pronounced spice notes that make it unmistakably Veltliner. The palate reveals remarkable complexity with hints of lime, green fruits, and a touch of honey, all underpinned by vibrant minerality. Its pungent intensity and ability to reverberate around the mouth showcase the distinctive character that has earned Zillinger his reputation as a maverick of the Weinviertel.

POPCORN

An adventurous expression of Zillinger's "Freestyle" philosophy, Popcorn demonstrates how innovation can lead to delicious results. This mash-fermented and unfiltered cuvée takes its name from its distinctive smoky, popcorn-like reduction notes. Despite its experimental nature, the wine maintains incredible balance, offering a compelling combination of distinctive aromatics with a juicy, light yet powerful palate. At just 11.5% alcohol, it demonstrates how lower alcohol can still deliver impressive flavor intensity.

KALKVOGEL Grüner Veltliner 2022

Kalkvogel represents Zillinger's most demanding and exciting vineyard site, where pure limestone soils create a Grüner Veltliner of distinctive character. This south-facing plot consistently produces wines of remarkable mineral elegance and smoky complexity. The 2022 vintage offers concentrated herbs and nuts on a medium to full-bodied palate, with firm chalky minerality building towards the finish. Despite its power, it maintains remarkable coolness and restraint. A wine that demonstrates why critics like Stuart Pigott and Jancis Robinson consistently praise Zillinger's craftsmanship.

STEINROT 2022

A fresh interpretation of Zweigelt from Zillinger's premium sand-limestone soils. This naturally-made red wine perfectly balances Austria's indigenous grape variety with Zillinger's minimal intervention philosophy. Through gentle mash fermentation and unfiltered bottling, Steinrot captures the pure essence of Zweigelt - light, fruity, and incredibly juicy. The wine demonstrates how this Austrian variety can achieve both depth and drinkability when handled with care and respect for nature.

HIRSCHENREYN Grüner Veltliner 2022

From Zillinger's coolest plots, facing north and nestled against the forest edge, comes this profound expression of Grüner Veltliner. The deep loam-loess soils contribute to a wine of remarkable power and earthiness, while the cool site location maintains freshness and vitality. After fermentation in large wooden barrels, the wine matured on full lees until autumn 2023, developing extraordinary complexity. Unfiltered and true to Zillinger's minimal intervention philosophy, this wine showcases both power and elegance, with a distinctly cool, mineral vein running through its core. Decanting is recommended to fully appreciate its layered complexity.