Birgit Braunstein

Birgit Braunstein - Biodynamics on the Leithaberg Mountain

The Birgit Braunstein winery is located in Purbach on Lake Neusiedl. Wine has been grown on the estate for 400 years. The historic estate building is now home to winemaker Birgit, her parents, and sons Felix and Max, who already represent the next generation in the winemaking tradition. The focus of Braunstein wines is on the terroir, as well as the careful, biodynamic cultivation of the vines.

The terroir of the Birgit Braunstein winery

The vineyards of the Birgit Braunstein Winery are located on the Leithagebirge behind the village of Purbach. The soils are characterized by slate, shell limestone and crystalline quartz, providing a very good foundation for the estate's great wines. The nearby Lake Neusiedl additionally shapes the microclimate present here and acts as a temperature regulator. Cool air from the mountains and warm, humid winds from the lake complement each other perfectly here. In this privileged location, Birgit Braunstein draws on several first-class sites:

• Guttenberg
• Rosenberg
• Burgstall
• Thenau
• Felsenstein
• Goldberg

All sites are located at the foot of the Leithaberg.

Biodynamics in viticulture

The vines are cultivated according to the principle of biodynamics, which was originally co-founded by Rudolf Steiner. In this method of cultivation, only natural preparations are used to support the plant, compost from the farm animals is used for fertilization, and vine pruning is done gently and with consideration for constellations. The background is Birgit's interest in this management, as well as a holistic way of life. The winery is a member of the Demeter group, which is committed to biodynamic agriculture and strictly controls compliance with its rules.

The wines of the Braunstein estate

The Birgit Braunstein winery produces a wide range of wines, whether white, red or rosé. The grape varieties used include Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Blaufränkisch. The Leithaberg line shines with high-quality varietal wines, while the "Vielfalt" line also focuses on fresh, young cuvées. In the Birgit-Pur line, Birgit Braunstein implements her personal ideas about wine and also likes to experiment with different vinification methods such as amphora or bottle fermentation or deliberately breaks conventions. Depending on the grape variety and quality, the wines are aged in steel tanks or in barrels, either in barrique or large wooden barrels. Individual wines are also aged using other methods, as already mentioned.