The traditional winery is located in the municipality of Jois in the Burgenland wine-growing region of Neusiedlersee (Austria). After long years of apprenticeship and travel in Europe and overseas (South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, California), Leo Hillinger (* 1967) took over the management of his parents' winery in 1990. At that time, the estate comprised only one hectare of vineyards with a wine shop. Leo Hillinger carried out major structural reforms. At a cost of six million euros, a new production facility with state-of-the-art cellar technology, a tasting room and a seminar room were built and put into operation in May 2004. The production hall is one of the most modern wine-growing facilities in Europe. Wine seminars, wine cellar tours, wine tastings and vineyard picnics are organised. In Parndorf, a "flagship store" was opened in the Designer Outlet in 2005, exclusively marketing the company's own wines. In the period from 2011 to 2016, Austria and Germany were followed by further stores/lounges/bars in Salzburg, Wien (2), Kitzbühel, Linz and Munich. In 2008, a social project was started with the own label "Pink Ribbon" (a Secco sparkling wine) in favour of the Austrian Cancer Aid. The company is owned 100% by the Hillinger family.
The vineyards cover 80 hectares in Jois (25 ha), Oggau (25 ha) and Rust (30 ha) in the Bandkräftn, Gmärk and Oberer Wald vineyards. About 60% of the vineyards are planted with the red wine varieties Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt, St. Laurent, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah, and about 40% with the white wine varieties Welschriesling, Grüner Veltliner, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay and Gelber Muskateller. The vineyards are cultivated according to the certified rules of organic viticulture. Per hectare, 4,000 to 5,000 grapes are harvested, which corresponds to only one kg of grapes per vine. Top quality grapes are harvested to enable a non-invasive cellar technique and are reflected in fruity wines. The selected grapes are fermented in stainless steel tanks. French oak barrels are used for the barrique wines. The flagship is the red wine ICON HILL. Through rigorous selection, only one grape per vine is processed. The grape variety blend of the wine, which is aged for 36 months, is a closely guarded secret of the house. Only 999 bottles of this wine are produced; the design is by star architect Zaha Hadid.
The top line "Hill" comprises the cuvées "Hill 1" (Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch, Merlot, Syrah), "Hill 2" (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc) and "Hill 3" (Tockenbeerenauslese from Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc). White and red varietal wines are produced from all grape varieties. Products such as rosé sparkling wine Secco and the "Small Hill" series (red, white, rosé, sweet) address young consumer groups. Leo Hillinger wines are also offered on cruise ships and on Austrian Airlines flights. The product range also includes, among other things, ice wines in years suitable for the weather, noble brandies, chocolate, vinegar and wine jelly. Around 450,000 bottles of wine are produced annually, around half of which is exported to 21 countries worldwide, including the USA and China.
There is a joint venture with the Constantia Glen vineyard in the historically rich Constantia area of South Africa. Two wines are produced here under the Constantia Hill brand name. The Constantia Hill white is a varietal Sauvignon Blanc, the Constantia Hill red a cuvée of Petit Verdot, Malbec (Cot), Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Leo Hillinger is on site twice a year for a month each time to vinify the wines himself.
