Brundlmayer Riesling Ried Steinmassl 2019

Region and Vineyards

The Ried Steinmassl vineyard is located in the prestigious Kamptal DAC, in the Niederösterreich region of Lower Austria. Positioned on a high plateau, Steinmassl borders other top vineyard sites and benefits from elevations ranging from 300 to 340 meters above sea level.

The subsoil is primarily paragneiss and mica schist, contributing to the wine’s signature minerality and precision. This ancient bedrock is often covered with diverse layers of loess, loam, and sand, providing excellent drainage and balance between fruit concentration and freshness.

In the past, the site was dedicated to early-ripening varietals. However, with the warming climate, Riesling and Chardonnay have flourished, achieving outstanding results and expressing the vineyard’s unique personality.

Winemaking

The grapes for Ried Steinmassl Riesling are harvested by hand with great care to preserve their quality and aromatic potential. After harvesting in October, the fruit undergoes several hours of skin contact, which enhances texture and flavor extraction.

The must is gently pressed and allowed to ferment spontaneously in stainless steel tanks, ensuring a pure and unadulterated expression of the fruit and terroir. The wine is matured in stainless steel and neutral large oak barrels to maintain its freshness while allowing subtle complexity to develop.

Bottling occurs in March of the following year, capturing the wine’s vibrancy and elegance.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Pale yellow with bright golden hues.
• Aroma: A fragrant bouquet of white flowers, citrus peels, fresh peach, and subtle notes of wild herbs.
• Palate: Silky and smooth on entry, transitioning to a vibrant, fresh profile with medium body. The wine’s well-integrated acidity highlights the flavors of citrus and ripe stone fruit, leading to a fine, mineral-driven finish.

Did You Know?

The Steinmassl vineyard is known for its combination of ancient rocky soils and diverse top layers, which contribute to the wine’s signature minerality and complexity. The name "Steinmassl" reflects the stony nature of the site, perfectly suited to growing world-class Riesling.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Grilled trout with lemon butter: The wine’s citrus and mineral notes beautifully complement the delicate flavors of grilled fish.
• Veal medallions with herb sauce: The Riesling’s freshness balances the richness of the veal and the herbal sauce.
• Roasted pork with apple compote: The stone fruit flavors in the wine pair harmoniously with the sweet and savory elements of the dish.
• Asian cuisine (mild spice): The wine’s vibrant acidity and fruit profile make it a perfect match for dishes like steamed dumplings or stir-fried shrimp.

History of Bründlmayer

The Bründlmayer estate is a family-owned winery with roots that trace back several generations. Under the leadership of Willi Bründlmayer, who took over the reins in the 1980s, the estate rose to international prominence. Willi’s visionary approach, emphasizing sustainability and respect for the environment, transformed Bründlmayer into one of Austria’s most acclaimed producers.

Willi Bründlmayer pioneered innovative techniques, such as the introduction of the Lyra trellis system, which enhances the health and quality of the vines. This, coupled with his commitment to showcasing the unique terroir of Kamptal, positioned the winery as a global leader in single-vineyard expressions.

Today, the estate is managed by Willi Bründlmayer and his family, who continue to uphold its legacy of sustainability, precision winemaking, and elegance.

Region and Vineyards

The Bründlmayer vineyards are situated in the heart of the Kamptal DAC, one of Austria’s most celebrated wine regions, known for its exceptional conditions for white wines, particularly Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. The estate owns approximately 80 hectares of vines, planted on diverse soils ranging from loess and loam to primary rock (gneiss, mica-schist, and granite).

Among the estate’s iconic sites are:

• Zöbinger Heiligenstein: Famous for its Permian desert sandstone soils, this vineyard is considered one of the best sites for Riesling in Austria, producing wines with remarkable minerality and finesse.
• Kammerner Lamm: Known for its calcareous clay and loess soils, this vineyard produces powerful and structured Grüner Veltliner, with richness and aging potential.
• Steinmassl: A high-altitude site with gneiss and mica-schist soils, yielding elegant, mineral-driven Rieslings with great precision.

The estate’s vineyards are farmed sustainably, with great attention to soil health, biodiversity, and minimal intervention, ensuring the best expression of the region’s unique terroir.

Wine Range of Bründlmayer

Bründlmayer produces a diverse range of wines that highlight the estate’s versatility and dedication to quality:

• Single-Vineyard Rieslings: Wines like Zöbinger Heiligenstein and Steinmassl are celebrated for their purity, aromatic precision, and aging potential.
• Grüner Veltliner: From the approachable Langenloiser to the rich and age-worthy Kammerner Lamm, Bründlmayer’s Grüner Veltliners showcase the varietal’s depth and versatility.
• Sparkling Wines: Crafted using the traditional method, these wines reflect the estate’s innovation and attention to detail, offering vibrant acidity and finesse.
• Chardonnay and Pinot Noir: Limited-production wines that highlight the estate’s ability to produce exceptional Burgundian-style wines in Austria.

Did You Know?

Bründlmayer was one of the first Austrian wineries to adopt the Lyra trellis system, where the vines are trained in a “Y” shape. This technique doubles the leaf canopy, promoting better ripening, reducing disease risk, and enhancing the overall quality of the grapes.