Weingut Rudi Pichler is a leading estate of Austria's Wachau Valley, with a family history of viticulture in Wösendorf dating back to 1731. Rudi farms around 15 hectares of vineyards spread across Wösendorf, Joching, Weißenkirchen and Mautern, on dramatic terraced slopes overlooking the Danube. Plantings are around 65% Grüner Veltliner, 30% Riesling and 5% Weißburgunder and Roter Veltliner.
The Federspiel category is the middle tier of the Vinea Wachau, made for freshness and immediate appeal. This Grüner Veltliner is sourced from valley, hillside and high-elevation terraced sites, giving an aromatic, savoury expression of the variety with green apple, lime, white pepper and fresh herbs over a clean, crystalline palate.
Yields are kept low, with botrytis carefully removed by hand. Grapes are crushed by foot and given a short maceration on the skins of three to 36 hours, then vinified entirely in stainless steel without malolactic fermentation, in keeping with the strict Vinea Wachau codex. Rudi describes himself as a 'wine caretaker, not a winemaker'.
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