Rust, Burgenland, Austria
Gernot and Victoria Schreiner, an alluring couple, have navigated a distinctive course in the world of winemaking since assuming control of their family's 6-hectare estate in their hometown of Rust. Their commitment to organic practices goes well beyond the required standards for certification, encompassing every aspect of their vineyards and winery, from their dietary choices to the materials they use.
Nestled in the historic city center of the free town of Rust, their winemaking enterprise spans six hectares around Rust. With a rich family history spanning generations, Gernot and Victoria Schreiner now tend to these vineyards.
Equally pivotal in their winemaking journey is the conscientious stewardship of the soil. Recognizing that this responsibility extends beyond their immediate control, their thoughtfully-managed practices sustain the health of their vineyard soils sustainably. Cover cropping, vineyard cultivation, minimal disruption of the vineyard area, biological pest control, and consideration of natural cycles form the foundation of their approach. The diversity of root materials from cover crops and soil organisms significantly influences soil permeability and vitality.
They cultivate green manure using a variety of flowers and herbs, encourage the proliferation of beneficial organisms, and abstain from conventional chemical protection. Committed to ecological viticulture, they adhere to organic guidelines, with the official certification of the 2012 harvest as organic. Their stance champions herbicide-, insecticide-, and fungicide-free agriculture. They advocate for the integration of natural cycles in their processes, adopting a broad, empathetic perspective on nature and its inherent needs.
The meticulous hand-harvesting of grapes enables a rigorous selection process. In the cellar, they adhere to the deliberate development of wine, encompassing whites, reds, and sweet wines. Together, these principles underpin the high quality and distinctive character of their wines.