The Austrian wine expert Heribert Bayer comes from the town of
Baden bei
Vienna. He was initially a wine collector and then, from the mid-1980s onwards, began to pass on his knowledge to Burgenland winegrowers as a
consultant. In the meantime, the innovative
Négociant éleveur (controlled grape or wine purchase and own processing) is considered an absolute red wine specialist. In 1994 he produced his first own wine "In Signo Leonis" from Pinot Noir in the municipality of
Mörbisch (DA area
Leithaberg). From 1997 on, red wines were vinified in partnership with
Winzerkeller Neckenmarkt (DAC area
Mittelburgenland). Due to the great success, Bayer established its own ultra-modern winery in the municipality of
Neckenmarkt in 2002 under the name "In Signo Leonis" after his zodiac sign (In the sign of the lion). Since 2006, son Patrick has been responsible for the business, which is supported by his father.
All red wines with rigorously limited yields come from the
Hochberg reed from sites with very old vines. The base wines are vinified in the Winzerkeller Neckenmarkt, the ageing of the wines takes place in the Weingut Bayer. The flagship of the house is the red wine "In Signo Leonis", from
Blaufränkisch (~60%), Zweigelt (~20%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (20%), which matures for two years in 100% new barriques. Other premium red wines are "In Signo Tauri" (Taurus, star sign wife, Pinot Noir, matures two years in 100% new French barriques) and "In Signo Sagittarii" (Sagittarius, star sign son,
Blaufränkisch). Other site wines are "Sails Red"
(Blaufränkisch, matures for 18 months in second filled barriques) and "Avantgarde" (Zweigelt) which is aged in steel tanks. The EX-QUI-SIT line consists of Pinot Blanc (Pandkräften,
Rust), as well as Zweigelt, Merlot and
Blaufränkisch (Hochberg, Neckenmarkt). These wines, made from the highest quality grapes, are aged for at least 15 months in barriques, some of which are new and second filled. The ZEITLOS line includes
Blaufränkisch and Zweigelt. The winery is a member of the Winegrowers' Association
Blaufränkischland Mittelburgenland.
