currently 171,598 Wines and 25,222 Producers, including 3,468 classified producers.
The traditional winery is located in the municipality of Kitzeck im Sausal in the Austrian wine growing region of Southern Styria. The roots reach back to the year 1757. The foundation stone was laid by Karl Schauer. Today, the business is run by the sons Stefan and Bernhard Schauer in the 23rd generation of the family. Some of the vineyards are located in extremely steep vineyards, which can only be cultivated by hand. The longest family-owned vineyard is 12 hectares in the Gaisriegl reed, which is one of the most important of the farm. Here the site wines from Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling with mineral aromas grow. The Gaisriegl is also home to the winery including the Buschenschank and guest house. There are further areas in the vineyards Einöd, Goldes (Sauvignon Blanc), Mellacher (Sauvignon Blanc), Hinteregg, Höchtemmel (Pinot Blanc) and Kittenberg.
White wine varieties are cultivated to about 95%. The two most important varieties are Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling, others are Muskateller, Welschriesling,Pinot Blanc, PinotGris, Morillon(Chardonnay) and Zweigelt. The environmentally friendly cultivation is 100% handmade. Only healthy and physiologically ripe grapes are selectively harvested by hand and processed.
The quality pyramid is divided into three lines. These are area wines & terroir wines(winestypical of the origin of various vineyards), local wines (from preferred vineyards within Kitzeck im Sausal) and Rieden wines (strictest selection from the oldest vineyards). Depending on the type of wine, they are aged in stainless steel tanks, large wooden barrels or barriques. Frizzante and bottle-fermented sparkling wine are also produced.