Kollwentz

Kollwentz winery has a luxury problem

The Kollwentz winery in the fields of the village of Großhöflein in Austria. Its vineyards, also called Rieden here, are located about 15 kilometers as the crow flies from Lake Neusiedl. They bear illustrious names such as Gloria, Tatschler, Point, Katterstein and Setz and receive almost extreme care from winemaker Andi Kollwentz. The vines that thrive here have been brought together with a great deal of thought and selected with the necessary sum of experience so that each pair of varieties harmonizes perfectly and makes an immediate impression on connoisseurs. For example, there is Gloria and Chardonnay or Point and Blaufränkisch as well as the Steinzeiler with the Cuvée Blaufränkisch. On the palate, one senses  much balance, depth, abundant subtleties and the finish shows considerable length. The 49-year-old winemaker sets his standards high for the Kollwentz winery. One of them: the grapes are harvested exclusively by hand. So it can also happen that in a difficult year like 2010 some of the top wines can not be produced. A loss that one accepts at Kollwentz. 

Winemaker Andi Kollwentz with his own style and vision

The role models for Andi Kollwentz, the head of the winery, are none other than the renowned Bordelais châteaux. After attending the Klosterneuburger Weinbauschule, Andi Kollwentz did some internships in Bordeaux. These were very formative for him, but nevertheless, after joining the winery about 25 years ago, he found an independent style and oriented himself here to an even greater role model, namely his father Anton. He is approaching 80 years of age and still drives his tractor in the vineyard. It was also he who laid the foundation for the winery's current importance. The senior took over the parental business in 1966 and, together with the support of his wife Margarete, swam against the then common current of lovely Burgenland wines. His foresight and instinct told him that he could be just as successful with tart, lean and also full-bodied growths. His gut feeling and acumen proved him right. 

First rebel now industry role model

Over time, Anton Kollwentz even became a role model for the industry. Today, he is considered one of the fathers of the Austrian wine miracle. Wife Heidi, who supports Andi on the sales front, is happy about the current situation: "We have a luxury problem. Since we only own top sites, it's practically impossible for us to make simpler wines."