Our story begins with Peter, who, at the tender age of 17, took over the family winery from his parents. Despite his youth, Peter was no stranger to the winemaking process, having spent countless hours in the vineyards since his childhood. With a passion for winemaking, he immersed himself in the art of viticulture, constantly learning and refining his skills. As a young man, he was not only steeped in the traditions of winemaking but was also deeply interested in physics. Peter's enthusiasm for science led him to pursue a degree in physics, specializing in nuclear physics. The combination of his scientific expertise and winemaking skills has enabled him to approach winemaking from a unique perspective.
Two years after taking over the family business, Peter decided to start anew and planted a new vineyard with young grapevines. He began by carefully selecting the best grape varieties for our vineyard, which is planted using a double-cordon and spur-pruned system. Then the vines are nurtured with utmost care and attention for four years before they are allowed to grow fruits. During this time, he removed all blooms and fruit clusters to ensure that the plants focus their energy on establishing a strong root system.
In 2020, Peter, building on years of experience and passion for winemaking and his friend Christian founded Staudenrauscher, a winery that reflects their shared vision of creating world-class wines using traditional techniques, and their deep respect for the natural environment.
At our estate, nestled amidst the picturesque vineyards at the foothills of the Vienna Woods and surrounded by the scenery of the city, we believe in the perfect harmony of nature and urban culture.
Our vineyard is situated on the Kadoltsberg, more precisely in the Ried Leiten, a small and historic wine-growing region on the edge of the Mauer district in the south of Vienna. The name "Ried" originates from the ancient German word for "clearing," a nod to the centuries-old tradition of clearing land for grape cultivation in this area. The region is small but mighty, and it is considered a hidden gem by wine enthusiasts in Austria and beyond.
This pristine and idyllic location has been used for wine production since the late Middle Ages. It is a region where the symbiotic relationship between nature and the city is on full display, where the stunning vineyards of the Vienna Woods serve as a backdrop to the city's bustling metropolis. It is a place where history and modernity coexist, and where the traditions of winemaking are deeply ingrained in the culture of the people.
The mild Pannonian climate in the Vienna Basin, along with the natural springs at the Kadoltsberg provide ideal conditions for cultivating grapes with a rich concentration of flavors. The south-facing slope ensures the vines receive the maximum amount of sunlight throughout the day, contributing to a long growing season and optimal grape ripening. The harmonious interplay of these ideal conditions, coupled with our passion for excellence, makes Ried Leiten one of Vienna's best vineyard locations.
Our focus on meticulous vineyard management, including our dedication to handpicking and selective pruning, ensures that our grapes are of the highest quality. Every aspect of the winemaking process is done by hand. This is a time-consuming process that requires a great deal of patience and dedication, but is evident in the superior quality of our wines.
At Staudenrauscher, we pride ourselves on our artisanal approach to winemaking. Every aspect of our work, from cutting and tying to harvesting, pressing, filling, labelling, and more, is done entirely by hand. This hands-on approach is at the heart of our winemaking philosophy, as it allows us to maintain complete control over every stage of the winemaking process, resulting in wines of the highest quality and character.
We hold ourselves to the highest standards in terms of quantity, health, and optimal ripeness of the grapes, ensuring a product of unparalleled excellence. Once the grapes have reached their optimal ripeness, we carefully handpick them, selecting only the best and discarding any that do not meet our exacting standards. The grapes are then transported to our winery, where they are sorted, crushed, and fermented in small batches, allowing us to closely monitor the winemaking process.
In our wine cellar, we employ the same gentle and natural approach that we use in our vineyard. We use a combination of old and new techniques to create wines that are truly exceptional. We believe that the key to great wine is a careful balance of science and artistry, and we are committed to using the best tools and techniques to bring out the unique qualities of each grape. Our dedication to using sustainable and environmentally friendly practices allows us to produce excellent wines that reflect the unique terroir of our vineyard.
Our winemaking process is gentle, with a focus on preserving the natural qualities of the grapes. We use no filtration, relying instead on gravity and natural settling to remove impurities. Depending on the aging time, the wine is gently transferred at least three times to remove any sediment and allow it to age properly. Depending on the style of wine, the aging process can last from several months to several years, resulting in elegant and sophisticated wines that are true to their terroir.
At Staudenrauscher, we believe that creating excellent wine is more than just a craft; it is an art form. We are constantly pushing the boundaries of traditional winemaking and exploring new methods to create wines that are exceptional and exclusive. Our commitment to quality is evident in every bottle we produce, and we are dedicated to sharing our passion for wine with our customers.
"Exceptional - Excellent - Exclusive" - this is not just our claim, but also our promise to you. Come and experience the true essence of Viennese wine culture at Staudenrauscher, and let our passion for wine-making and our exquisite wines transport you to a world of opulence and indulgence. We take great pride in sharing our wines with wine lovers around the world, and we are always delighted to welcome visitors to our vineyard and winery.