Kamptal

Wine-growing communities

The wine-growing centre of the Kamptal wine-growing region is the largest Austrian wine-growing municipality in terms of vineyard area, Langenlois, with the cadastral municipalities of Gobelsburg, Haindorf and Zöbing. Other municipalities are Etsdorf, Hadersdorf, Kammern, Lengenfeld, Schönberg, Sittendorf, Straß im Straßertale and Walkersdorf. The best-known vineyard is the above-mentioned Zöbinger Heiligenstein; others are Bleckenweg, Gaisberg, Grub, Dechant, Fahnberg, Fraupoint, Hasel, Hiesberg, Käferberg, Kalvarienberg, Kogelberg, Ladner, Lamm, Letten, Loiserberg, Liß, Panzaun, Sauberg, Schenkenbichl, Seeberg, Spiegel, Sonnwendberg, Stangl, Steinhaus, Steinmassl, Tagler and Wechselberg.

Grape variety index

In 2022, the vineyards covered a total of 3,574 hectares of vines. Compared to 2015 with 3,907 hectares, this was a reduction of 333 hectares (8.5%). The proportion of red wine varieties is 19%, the proportion of white wine varieties 81%. It dominates undisputedly with over half of the stock Grüner Veltliner, followed by Zweigelt, Riesling and Müller-Thurgau.

DAC system

The origin-controlled Kamptal DAC quality level was introduced from the 2008 vintage. All other quality wines must be marketed with the origin Lower Austria, the regional wines under the wine-growing region designation Weinland. In addition to the generally applicable DAC conditions, special rules apply.

The quality wine grape varieties Grüner Veltliner and Riesling are authorised. The wines must be vinified dry. From the 2016 vintage, a three-tier system was introduced to emphasise the origin more strongly. There are lower limits for the alcohol content, but no upper limits compared to before. The date for the application to obtain the state inspection number is staggered. If the decision is favourable (usually within one week), the wine may be marketed:

• Kamptal DAC, zum. 11.5% vol; 1 January
• Kamptal DAC with indication of place; as of 12% vol; 1 January
• Kamptal DAC with indication of place and vineyard (indication "Ried" and vineyard name); at 12.5% vol; 1 March
• Kamptal DAC Reserve; 13% vol; 1 July

The wines must have a characteristic flavour typical of the two grape varieties. For the variety Grüner Veltlinerfruity, delicately spicy, no botrytis note, no noticeable woody note(toast flavour), balanced, not high in alcohol. For the variety Riesling: fragrantaromatic, elegant, mineral, no botrytis dominance, no woody flavour, balanced, not alcoholic. For the Reserve quality level: strong style, pronounced regional and varietal flavours, dense and long finish, a delicate (filigree) botrytis and wood note is permitted.

Producers

Well-known wineries are Aichinger Josef, Allram, Angerer Kurt, Arndorfer, Auer Leopold, Brandl Günther, Bründlmayer Willi, Cobaneshof Schneider, Deim Alfred Markus, Dolle Peter, Ehn Ludwig, Eichinger Birgit, Grillmaier, Groll Wolfgang, Hager Matthias, Hager Oskar, Hiedler Ludwig, Hirsch Johannes, Höfinger Egmont, Jurtschitsch, Kemetner Leopold, Kirchmayr Andreas (now disbanded), Laurenz V., Leindl (formerly Burgi Eder), Leithner Thomas, Loimer Fred, Nastl Günter, Rabl Rudolf, Retzl Erwin, Sax Rudolf, Schloss Gobelsburg, Schreibeis, Steininger Karl, Summerer, Topf Johann, Vinokus, Waldschütz Anton, Waldschütz Reinhard, Weixelbaum Heinz, Zottlöderer. Associations are Kamptal Klassik and Traditionsweingüter Österreich.

Pictures: © ÖWM Marcus Wiesner