Winzer Krems

Who are Winzer Krems?

Almost 1000 people work on stage and behind the scenes at Winzer Krems. Nearly 900 winegrowers are responsible for outstanding wines; from among them, the board of directors and supervisory board are elected. Another 85 employees ensure that the wine can be produced and reach customers.

Photo: Robert Herbst

Milestones in the history of Winzer Krems

13 April 1938: The resolution to found a winegrowers’ cooperative in Krems is passed.

1939: Parts of the estate in the Sandgrube belonged until 1938 to the Jewish wine merchant Paul Robitschek and his mother Johanna. After Robitschek fled from the National Socialists, the estate was “Aryanised” and acquired by the Krems winegrowers’ cooperative. In 1948, restitution proceedings were held, which ended in a settlement. This dark chapter in the history of Winzer Krems was academically examined between 2018 and 2020 by the Documentation Archive of the Austrian Resistance (DÖW).

1961: The brand KREMSER SCHMIDT is presented at the Hotel Europa in Vienna.

2001: The new bottling line is opened.

2003–2005: Construction of new fermentation and maturation cellars as well as a new pressing station and grape reception.

2005: The new cellar and the wine experience world SANDGRUBE 13 wein.sinn are opened.

2014: The Bründlgraben vinotheque cellar is opened.

2019: Ludwig Holzer takes over management.

Until 2023: The most extensive construction works in the history of Winzer Krems began in 2019 and are scheduled (as of 08/2022) for completion by 2023. A new fermentation and maturation cellar, a new wine bottling facility and a new bottle storage area are being built. Particular consideration is being given to climate change. The aim is to better cope with changing climatic conditions. For example, the roof of the new bottling plant is greened and equipped with photovoltaic panels.

Photo: Helge Kirchberger

The vineyards of Winzer Krems

The Winzer Krems growing region is located 70 km west of Vienna. Many of the vineyards are on slopes and steep rock terraces. Here, small-scale climatic zones—favoured by river courses and valleys protected to the north—and optimal soils interact so that a wide variety of different grape varieties and qualities can grow.

• Kremser Sandgrube: The Winzer Krems estate is located in the middle of this traditional Krems vineyard site.
• Kremser Goldberg: The loess high plateau is located in the northeast of the town of Krems.
• Kremser Wachtberg: In the north of the town of Krems lies the Kremser Wachtberg with deep loess soils and, in parts, primary rock weathering soils.
• Kremser Kremsleithen: This site is located on the banks of the Krems river. The vines grow here on steep primary rock terraces with barren and stony soils.
• Kremser Kreuzberg: Kreuzberg lies to the west of Krems. Here, too, the vines grow on primary rock soils, similar to those in the Wachau. Riesling thrives particularly well here.

Photo: Helge Kirchberger

The most important grape varieties

• Grüner Veltliner: The most important autochthonous grape variety in Austria, a region-typical DAC wine.
• Riesling: The variety made its way from the Rhine to Austria and, alongside Grüner Veltliner, is the most important white wine variety of the Wachau and the Kremstal.
• Blauer Zweigelt: The most widely planted red wine variety in Austria, thriving in every winegrowing region. It is produced in a broad spectrum ranging from wines to be drunk young to powerful barrique-aged wines.
• Gelber Muskateller: One of the oldest grape varieties of all, existing in numerous variations. Vinified as a fruity-fresh dry white wine.
• Chardonnay: Found worldwide; at Winzer Krems it is vinified without the use of wood.
• Weißburgunder: Requires good sites in order to deliver high quality.
• Donauriesling: Newly bred PIWI (fungus-resistant) variety.
• Neuburger: Also an autochthonous grape variety.
• Müller Thurgau: Also called Rivaner, it grows in all Austrian winegrowing regions.
• Frühroter Veltliner: Old, autochthonous grape variety, found mainly in the Thermenregion, in the Weinviertel and on the Wagram.
• Sankt Laurent: The name comes from St. Lawrence’s Day, 10 August, when the berries begin to change colour.

Photo: Helge Kirchberger

Awards for Winzer Krems

At the 2022 Lower Austrian Wine Awards, the largest Austrian wine competition, the Krems winegrowers were showered with accolades. An incredible 15 wines were honoured with gold. Gold was awarded to:

• Weinmanufaktur Krems Gelber Muskateller 2021
• Weinmanufaktur Krems Grüner Veltliner 2021
• Ried Kremser Goldberg Grüner Veltliner 2021
• Edition Chremisa Grüner Veltliner 2021
• Orange Grüner Veltliner 2021
• Orange Grüner Veltliner 2020
• Kremstal DAC Reserve Grüner Veltliner 2020
• Ried Kremser Wachtberg Grüner Veltliner 2020
• Weinmanufaktur Krems Chardonnay 2021
• Donauriesling 2021
• Ried Kremser Kremsleithen Riesling 2021
• Kremser Kreuzberg Riesling 2020
• "13" Rosé Zweigelt 2021
• Zweigelt Kellermeister Privat 2021
• Sankt Laurent Kellermeister Privat 2021