Kamptal
A million years young.
CLIMATE
We get the best
out of two climate zones.
Kamptal is unique. This uniqueness benefits not only us but especially our vines. In Kamptal two climatic zones meet that could not be more different: dry and hot Pannonian climate is met by harsh and cold weather from the northern Waldviertel area. This means our vineyards experience hot temperatures during the day and a cool phase at night. This interplay of temperatures gives our grapes their aromatic finesse and lively acidity. The unique topography further enriches our wines, as the Kamptal opens to the warm Danube valley and closes itself off from north. The combination of the climatic and topographical conditions makes our white wines ideal for ageing, something that is rare to find in white wines throughout the world.
TERROIR
Good soil for
excellent wine.
The entire region is characterised by fascinating terroir formations. The primeval rock layer “Gföhler Gneis” lies in the depths of the Kamptal hills. In some parts of Kamptal this rock layer can reach a couple of meters in depth but in other parts it’s only a few centimeters thick and covered with nourishing “Löss” soil. “Löss” is drifting sand that was formed during the Ice Age and has settled on the slopes of the valleys in Kamptal over millions of years ago. Clay soil has formed on the banks of the river Kamp. Permian, a rare soil that contains volcanic elements, in the foundation of the famous “Heiligenstein”. Each of these characteristic soils create unique habitats for our vines to grow. For example, the primeval rock gives the Riesling its minerality, while the calceous “Löss” gives Grüner Veltliner its salinity and elegant spicy notes.
CLASSIFICATION
Home of excellence.
We are fortunate that we can grow our wines on such special soil. Therefore, the origin of this soil is very important to us. We aim to produce wines that reflect the vintage, terroir and unique climate of the Kamptal. One can feel and taste the subtle nuances and complex characters of the different sites. The classification pyramid was developed to categorise the significance of each individual wine.
The classical sugar pyramid or conventional varietal thinking have had their day for good reason. Today, the origin and therefore the uniqueness of the wine is of much greater importance. This philosophy is translated into our classification pyramid.
Once the quality and character of a wine has been identified by the vintner, he/she decides how the wine will be classified on the label of the bottle. The more precise the classification of its origin, the more special the wine. In order to produce a reginal wine, for example Kamptaler, grapes from the entire area may be processed. A village wine, for example Strasser, contains only grapes from a declared wine-growing village and thus already reflects the soil and climatic conditions in a more defined way. Even higher up the pyramid are the Rieden (single vineyard) wines. Their origin represents a specified area of a vineyard. We bottle six Rieden wines. On top of the pyramid stand the Erste Lage (Premier Cru). Only the most outstanding 15 to 20 percent of the best vineyards are classified and sold as Erste Lagen wines.
ERSTE LAGEN
Vinyard classification.
It was the year 1992, when several wine makers from the region decided to join forces. What followed was the formation of the Association of Traditional Wineries Austria, which today counts 62 members. The vision: to classify the most outstanding vineyard sites of the Danube region to provide consumers with an orientation guide and to make long-outdated quality standards, such as the degree of sugar in the must, obsolete.
Nearly two decades of intensive wine and vineyard research, observation and analysis as well as discussion followed. In 2010, 52 vineyards were classified as “Erste Lagen”, which corresponds to 10 percent of the total area of the Danube wine growing region. This greater area comprises the wine growing regions Kamptal, Kremstal, Wachau, Traisental and Wagram. In 2018, the wine growing regions “Carnuntum” and Vienna joined the association.
The Allram family cultivates vineyards in the following Ersten Lage sites: Heiligenstein, Gaisberg and Renner.
With attentive care some vineyards produce exceptional wines every year. This knowledge and wisdom has been cultivated and passed on to countless generations. The vineyard classification is therefore the logical consequence and result of a 1000 year old wine making history.
Our vineyards
- Ried Heiligenstein 1ÖTW
- Ried Gaisberg 1ÖTW
- Ried Renner 1ÖTW
- Ried Wechselberg
- Ried Hasel
- Ried Rosengartl
Ried Heiligenstein
Ried Heiligenstein 1ÖTW
-
Size
34,9 ha
-
Altitude
220–350 m
-
Variety
Riesling
-
Gradient
13˚
-
Orientation
SSW
The terraced south and southwest facing slope has a unique geological history that has been preserved in this particular area. The outcropping bedrock consists of a reddish-brown sandstone with a high feldspar content, coarse conglomerates, and minor siltstone. These sediments formed approximately 250-280 million years ago under arid conditions, in lakes, ponds and ephemeral rivers. The rocks contain fossilized plants and gravels with clasts of volcanic rhyolites.
Ried Gaisberg
Ried Gaisberg 1ÖTW
-
Size
32 ha
-
Altitude
220–335 m
-
Varieties
Grüner Veltliner & Riesling
-
Gradient
7–11˚
-
Orientation
SSW
This vineyard extends up to 330 meters above sea level, occupying a steep east and west-facing slope and a gentle decline towards the south. The soil in the upper half of the hill has developed on paragneiss, mica schist, and amphibolite bedrock creating ideal condition for Riesling. While at the southern foot of the slope a soil rich in humus has developed on a thick layer of loess. Making it one of the best spots for Grüner Veltliner in Strass.
Ried Renner
Ried Renner 1ÖTW
-
Size
20 ha
-
Altitude
210–245 m
-
Varieties
Grüner Veltliner
-
Gradient
3˚
-
Orientation
SW
The vineyard is situated below and to the west of the Gaisberg vineyard site, separated from the vineyaards of Lamm by a ravine. The soil is a calcareous sandy silt that has formed from the underlying loess, alluvial deposits, and fragments of crystalline rocks such as gneiss, amphibolite and mica schist.
Ried Wechselberg
-
Size
15 ha
-
Altitude
235–295 m
-
Varieties
Chardonnay
-
Gradient
15˚
-
Orientation
SSW
The vineyards occupy a hillside on the eastern side of the Straßertal valley. They enjoy full sunshine all day long because of its steep terrain and its south to south aspect. The bedrock consits of schist that was formed by pressure and temperature from marine muds deposited millions of years ago. Gneiss and amphibolite are also present in this area. All of these rocks are covered with loess; the overlying soils have derived from the loess and are consequently always calcareous.
Ried Hasel
-
Size
100 ha
-
Altitude
230–250 m
-
Varieties
Grüner Veltliner
-
Gradient
5˚
-
Orientation
S
This vineyard comprises gentle, south-facing terraces at an altitude between 220-260m. It marks the eastern boarder of the Strass village. The soil is calcareous and silty, derived from a massive blanket of loess that is draped over a gneiss bedrock, marine sediments, and ancient gravels of the Danube River. It is an ideal place to grow Grüner Veltliner.
Ried Rosengartl
-
Size
15 ha
-
Altitude
220–285 m
-
Varieties
Grüner Veltliner
-
Gradient
5˚
-
Orientation
S
Unter
The “Ried” ROSENGARTL comprises gentle, south-facing terraces at an elevation of 250-340 meters, that are protected to the northwest by the Wechselberg. The loess terraces are draped over the gneiss bedrock and marine sediments. The soil is a result of the dry and cold climate of the Ice Age. Due to the effect of glaciers producing a high pressure on the land, quartz, limestone, mica and clay particles were pulverised. These loess soils retain deep reservoirs of moisture and rarely suffer from dehydration. Wines with a harmonious combination of strength, body, characteristic aromas and elegance are the result.