Winery

Herbert Zillinger

Herbert and Carmen Zillinger are considered as exceptional talents in the Weinviertel region: the winery stands for quality without compromise. Each wine bears its own personality and yet always the signature of Zillinger.

"We never trim our wines for a promising deal or a better rating. If we like them as they are, then we are happy."

– Herbert Zillinger

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Aromatic

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The Herbert Zillinger winery: The avant-garde of the Weinviertel

With 15800 hectares, the Weinviertel is Austria's largest wine-growing region. With his clear approach to honesty, depth, tranquillity and expressiveness, Herbert Zillinger has succeeded in attracting a great deal of attention internationally and has thus also stood out as an exceptional talent in his homeland.

His secret recipe lies above all in renouncing supposedly "modern methods of production" and making his wines with passion by means of nature-oriented craftsmanship.

No pesticides, no additives, no fining agents, but one thing above all: time - or as Herbert would say, "time of maturity". The result are purist wines with a unique character. We can hardly imagine that he would "offend" some customers with this, as he says. As balanced and easy-drinking as the wines are, there can't be many wine drinkers, neither conventional nor natural wine lovers, who can refuse this good stuff.

The wines can be described as uncompromising, heritage-conscious and modern in the sense of "back to the roots".

Natural wine is for Herbert Zillinger just the logical consequence

Herbert Zillinger took over his parents' vineyard in the Weinviertel region of Austria at the age of 20. When Carmen, his wife, joined the business in 2005, the Zillinger family continued on their quality course and, at the latest since the birth of their first daughter Amelie, it was clear that only natural wine, or sustainable management as a whole, could be the only right way forward. Since 2016, the Zillingers have been working according to biodynamic guidelines, certified with the "Respect Biodynamic" label

Grüner Veltliner is and remains the wine of the Weinviertel region

As is typical in the Weinviertel, Grüner Veltliner is also the most important grape variety at Herbert and Carmen. But Traminer, Sauvignon Blanc and Zweigelt are also skilfully turned into fine wines.

The vineyards are of course cultivated organically, i.e. without chemical fertilisers and pesticides. Herbert Zillinger supports his vines with natural nitrogen fertiliser made from cow and pig manure, which is distributed by hand.

The ageing of this juicy Weinviertler takes place in various containers. From large used wood to steel tanks, Herbert Zillinger's only credo: unadulterated.

Interview with Herbert Zillinger

Hello Herbert!

Was würdet ihr sagen, wofür euer Weingut und eure Weine stehen?

Herbert Zillinger: A great wine is first and foremost a wine that touches us in a lasting way.

What makes a great wine for you? Or what is important to you personally in a wine?

Herbert Zillinger: A great wine is first and foremost a wine that makes a lasting impression on us. In our opinion, a great wine must also have a powerful body, a certain drinkability, liveliness and, above all, perfect balance. These are mostly wines from artisanal farmers whose soils are healthy and vital.

Does climate change have an influence on your viticulture and does this also change things in your work?

Herbert Zillinger: Climate change is a constant concern for us, and of course we are worried about it. However, we know that with our biodynamic way of working we are perfectly equipped against weather extremes, and that we can thus also make a small contribution to combating the climate catastrophe.

What made you go in the direction of organic/biodynamic/natural wine?

Herbert Zillinger: We wanted to practise a form of agriculture that was not based on the expense of others (health of soils, environment, employees,...). As our trust in nature increased, we noticed that supposed problems suddenly disappeared and a balance increasingly emerged that was reflected in all areas of daily life (professional as well as private). Perfectly balanced grapes allow us to take a completely purist approach to vinification, which in turn brings us closer to our ideal of an unadulterated, honest wine.