Grauburgunder Kitzeck – from Wohlmuth Winery

The Wohlmuth Grauburgunder Kitzeck 2022 is a superb, dry Pinot Gris from Kitzeck in Southern Styria, Austria. Its grapes grow on extremely steep vineyard slopes, partly on red slate soils in the Gola vineyard site. Influenced by the Illyrian climate, which brings warm winds from the Mediterranean and cool winds from the northern Alps to Kitzeck in Southern Styria, and with much manual labor on the steep slopes, which requires an admirable connection to home, white wines with a distinctive, complex fruit character are created.

The Grauburgunder Kitzeck from Wohlmuth Winery is an elegant Pinot Gris. On the nose, juicy pear fruit, melon, and a hint of walnut. On the palate, the Burgundy shows a fine salinity and a firm acid structure, always accompanied by a delicate slate spice, a wonderfully cool minerality, and finesse. This demonstrates the ingenious interplay of grape variety, soil, location, and winemaking craftsmanship, which has a 200-year-old tradition at Wohlmuth's.

Pinot Gris – Grauburgunder from Kitzeck in Southern Styria

The 2002 vintage at Wohlmuth Winery in Kitzeck in Southern Styria was challenging but successful. The start of vegetation in spring took place under ideal conditions. Gerhard and his team could only manage the rapid growth of the vines with countless hours of work. The first half of June brought a slightly shattered bloom. However, the result was loosely clustered, smaller grapes. The initial course for a great vintage was set. July brought abundant rain, requiring good canopy management. Gerhard ensured an airy but still shading canopy wall. August saw numerous dry and hot days. Harvesting began on September 9th, and the musts surprised with advanced ripeness and a very pronounced aromatic depth. The harvest was brought in over 14 picking days until October 11th, consistently interrupted by rain showers. Due to cool nights, there was almost no botrytis pressure. The Wohlmuth family is delighted to present what is probably the most aromatic and spiciest vintage of recent years.

The 2022 vintage is accompanied by a painting by Laura Stadtegger, who sees the characteristic of her art in the movement between the real and imaginary world. Fascinated by myths and archetypes, she views her art as messages that concern people worldwide. Born in Graz in 1984, the artist completed her studies in applied arts at the University of Vienna, with a year abroad at the School of Visual Arts in New York. She then lived for a while in Amsterdam before moving her studio to Munich in 2011. Her works can be admired in exhibitions, such as in London in 2023.