Weingüter "Retzer Land" (the six municipalities of Hardegg, Schrattenthal, Pulkau, Retz, Unterretzbach and Zellerndorf) is a quality association of top vintners in the western Weinviertel(Lower Austria). It emerged from the former association "Collegium Vini Cultorum". The association has a core of 30 members who are committed to high wine quality and are constantly improving it in the wine-growing region of Retzer Land. In order to guarantee the quality of the wines, the Retzer Land wineries undergo regular strict selection. Internal wine tastings, wine tastings with recognised wine experts and international awards are used to determine the best wineries. These wineries present the region with their wines at many events. The aim is to establish the Retzer Land wineries as a quality brand and to position them at the top of the Austrian winegrowers.
Separate designations with strict award criteria have been created for the labelling of quality wines. The yield must not exceed 60 hl/hl, the acidity must be at least 7 g/l and the must weight must be at least 18 °KMW (at the Feenhaube level 15 to 17 °KMW). All wines must be completely dry with a maximum of 1.5 g/l residual sugar. The white wines are made from pure grapes of the typical varieties of the region Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, Welschriesling, Pinot Blanc or Chardonnay, the red wines from the varieties Blauer Portugieser and Zweigelt. The wines must come from selected vineyards. The three white wines are Feenhaube (named after a Celtic cult site made of stone, max. 11% alcohol by volume), Urkristall (cabinet level) and Silberdistel (after the plant native to the area). The red wine is called Feuervogel and is a cuvée of the red grape varieties.
