Weingut Schauer, Styria, Austria

 

 

 

"Gault & Millau discovery of the year 2017"

Weingut Schauer is located in South Styria, in the municipality of Kitzeck im Sausal . At 564 meters above sea level, this is one of the highest vineyards in Central Europe.
The Sausaler Weinstraße runs through here, which takes you directly to the family-run winery. The area is known for its extremely steep slate slopes , which are worked with passion by the Schauer family, entirely by hand.

 

 

Weingut Schauer from Kitzeck is "Gault & Millau discovery of the year 2017"

" Proud, grateful and happy" , is how the two winemaker brothers Stefan and Bernhard Schauer describe the feeling when they won the prize. The two brothers are especially proud of the fact that they did not convince the jury with just one wine, but with the entire range. "The many hours of work in the wine cellar, the thoughts that one makes and the precision in their wines...'', according to the jury of Gault & Millau.

From now until now:

The winery has a long history. The foundation stone was laid in 1622, 393 years ago. The name Schauer was first mentioned in 1757. 'Well established' is probably the right word for the Schauers. Even grandfather Karl Schauer produced wine in addition to mixed farming. Father Karl Schauer Jr. then focused entirely on wine growing. In 2010 he handed over the scepter to Stefan, who now focuses entirely on wine growing. His brother Bernard is responsible for the marketing of the winery. The parents also still help out in all areas. A real family business.

The main vineyards
Kittenberg:
They have one hectare of vineyard on the Kittenberg. The Pinot Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc grow on the dominant red shale slopes with deep limestone layers. The vines are about 20 years old and produce intensely aromatic grapes. The vineyard is located at 470 meters above sea level and faces southwest. With a slope of 50%, the Kittenberg requires 100% manual harvesting.

Hochegg:
The newest vineyard, one hectare in size, is located in Hochegg and is planted with 25-year-old Chardonnay vines. The wine made from it is bottled under the name "Morillon" . A 60% south-facing slope at 530 meters above sea level also ensures 100% manual harvesting here. The soil in Hochegg consists of red and gray slate.

Gaisriegl:
Gaisriegl is the main vineyard . The winery including the guesthouse is located in the middle of it and they manage fourteen of the eighteen hectares of vineyards there. So you could say: Schauer is Gaisriegl is Schauer . The vineyards vary from 5 to 40 years old, depending on the grape variety - here grows Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling. This south and south-west facing slope of 65% is dominated by red slate. On these vineyards, at an altitude of 440-560 meters, only manual work is done.

The Schauer family has divided its wines into three lines, according to a quality pyramid .

From Sausal - a tribute to the origins. All these wines come from a large part of the South Styria region, which is then divided into smaller places. The vines are, like the family, deeply rooted in the soil of schist and limestone.

From Schiefer - proud ambassadors of the Kitzeck terroir. The wines are 100% grown on steep slate slopes around the winery. The soil here is infertile, which gives the wines their tightness and minerality.

From the steep slopes - quality without compromise. These wines come from the oldest vineyards with the steepest slate slopes, which are characterized by a specific microclimate. A rigorous selection takes place before the wines are allowed to belong to the top.