Weingut Gesellmann

This traditional winery is located in the municipality of Deutschkreutz in the Austrian wine-growing region of Mittelburgenland. It was first mentioned in a document in 1767. From the mid-1980s, Engelbert Gesellmann planted international varieties, was one of the first to experiment with barrique v inification and laid the foundation for success. Son Albert joined the business after years of apprenticeship and travel in South Africa and California. Today, it is run by him and his wife Silvia. The vineyards cover 28 hectares on loamy-gravelly hills around Deutschkreutz in the Hochäcker and Steinriegl vineyards. Some of the vines are over 80 years old and produce only very low yields but wines of the highest quality. The vineyards are 90% planted with the red wine varieties Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch, St. Laurent, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah, and 10% with the white wine varieties Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Welschriesling and Sämling 88 (Scheurebe).

All red wines are matured in large wooden bar rels or barriques before bottling. The flagship of the house is the red wine cuvée "G", which comes from selected, small-grape vines of the varieties Blaufränkisch (90%) and St. Laurent (10%) and matures for 40 months in barriques. Other premium wines are the red wines "Opus Eximium" with consecutive numbering since 1988 (Blaufränkisch, St. Laurent, Zweigelt), the "Bela Rex" (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot), "Siglos" (Pinot Noir), Blaufränkisch Hochberc (sic) and Blaufränkisch Creitzer Reserve, which have been vinified since 1992, and the white wine Chardonnay Steinriegel. In years with suitable weather conditions, Trockenbeerenauslesen and ice wines are also pressed. Around 160,000 bottles of wine are produced annually. Bottle-fermented sparkling wines and noble brandies (pomace) are also produced. The winery is a member of the associations Renommierte Weingüter Burgenland, Blaufränkischland Mittelburgenland and Tu Felix Austria.