Good mood, crazy incline

The view from the Wohlmuth family vineyard is breathtaking: the gently rolling hills resemble the waves on a green ocean. The rows of vines look as if they have been painted on by an artistic hand. "Yes, you can't get enough of it!" confirms Gerhard Wohlmuth and adds: "It's like looking at great art, it makes you humble." That is why the Wohlmuth family's wine should not taste like a Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire or a Zweigelt from Burgenland, but have its own authentic taste: "We want to create something unique. Wines full of power, expression and delicacy. These wines not only express the seasonality of the year, but also the place where they grew. For us, they are works of art whose uniqueness we emphasize with the annually changing image on the bottle." What is special about the Wohlmuth family's vineyards is not only the extremely steep slopes, but the interplay of various other factors: here it gets very cold at night – due to being 600 metres above sea level and its proximity to the mountains – and nice and warm during the day – thanks to the steep gradient and the slate soil. This means the grapes ripen more slowly and develop a multi-layered aroma. In addition, the phyllite slate provides natural drainage. The vines' roots have to reach deep down to get water. This keeps the berries smaller, which in turn produces more concentrated wines. In fact, when tasting Rotburg phyllite, you'll find it's all in the name! – a subtle slate note alongside juicy cherries and blackberries. A Zweigelt as harmonious as the view over southern Styria. Gerhard Wohlmuth has succeeded in depicting the terroir in an artistic way. Can you taste it?