2017 Kolfok 'Quershnitt Grüner Veltliner & Co'

Region: Burgenland > Austria

Grapes: Gruner Veltliner, Chardonnay

Vineyard/cellar stats: Organic farming, volcanic, schist and loam soils; whole cluster press then a 2hr soak and spontaneous fermentation in 1200L oak; bottled unfined/unfiltered with minimal So2; 12.5% ABV

Winemaker: Stefan Wellanschitz

Kolfolk loosely translate to "an unconventional thinker".  Stefan Wellanschitz is the unconventinal thinker behind the winery, taking a 19th-century estate and throwing tradition to the wind.  Stefan was born into wine, with his historic family estate in Neckenmarkt dating back to the early 19th century (when Burgenland actually belonged to Hungry, not Austria!)  Creating a clear break from his family's traditional style, Stefan launched his own wine project in 2013 with a more natural, low-tech approach to winemaking that showcase the soils and unique character of his region.

Querschnitt means 'cross-section', referring to the representation of Burgenland's soils and varietals in one cuveé, which the Querschnitt Grüner Veltliner & Co. does brilliantly.  Bright and clean, with a round, more generous texture than most razor-sharp Grüner (thanks to the Chard), this wine tastes like a winter medley of crisp green apple, Bartlett pear and yellow plum, with a slight earthy element of almond and white pepper, and a zippy, but not harshly acidic, finish.