Claus Preisinger’s winery is nestled in the village of Gols by Lake Neusiedlersee in Burgenland. Claus first started making wine with this father as a hobby, but after working with Hans Nittnaus, a neighbouring winemaker for a few years, decided that wine was his true calling. His first vintage was in 2000, and since then he has expanded his father’s 3 hectares to the 17 hectares of vines he cultivates today. His vineyard work is meticulous, and he is deeply in touch with his land. He uses a mixture of techniques including homeopathic teas, compost from cattle and horses and works strictly from Steiner biodynamic philosophies. His vines are spread across 58 parcels and are largely planted to indigenous varieties such as Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent.

Despite the modernity of his striking winery everything done inside is hands-off and inherently natural, with indigenous yeasts taking control of each year’s ferments. Claus’ priority has always been to produce wine that is pure, balanced, and expressive of his terroir. His winemaking methods are very much guided by instinct rather than set formula, and he is perpetually experimenting and evolving, making wine that is markedly different in style to the classic interpretations coming out of the region.

Claus is deeply committed to working in harmony with nature and has been certified biodynamic since 2009. He also keeps his cellar interventions to a minimum, strongly advocating for wines that achieve balance naturally. After previously only using a little sulphur when needed Claus recently made the decision to stop using it all together and the wines remain incredibly clean & pure!

Claus Preisinger’s Zweigelt is grown on pebbly, gravelly (Kiesel) soils in Burgenland. The rocky soils and the temperate microclimate around Lake Neusiedlersee form the perfect conditions for Zweigelt. The grapes are fermented semi-carbonically in large used oak and sandstone jars where it ages for 10 months. The result is a seriously pure & electric wine bursting with blue & black fruit aromas and some delightful, sweet baking spice. On the palate the blue fruits are shining through with juicy blueberry and blue plums, delightfully refreshing acidity and a velvety smooth mouthfeel.