Domane Wachau Terrassen Gruner Veltliner Federspiel

The Domane Wachau cooperative is located in the heart of the Wachau region and is the largest independent producer in this area. Domane Wachau ranks among the top ten wine producers in Austria. The Wachau wine region is a valley stretching along the Danube for 30 kilometers between the towns of Krems and Melk. The soils of the valley are a mineral-rich mix of quartz, mica, feldspar, and granite gneiss. The eastern slopes of the mountains are dominated by sandy soils. The climate in this small area, like the soils, is very diverse. The dry climate of Pannonia and air currents from the Atlantic create special microclimatic conditions in the Wachau valley. Each individual vineyard has its own microclimate. Conditions are influenced by the slope angle, soil type, position relative to the sun, and rocks that block sunlight. Winter cold and summer heat in this area are moderated by the influence of the Danube. At the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, cool air masses from the northern Waldviertel region increase the difference between night and day temperatures. All these factors significantly affect the ripening of grapes, the refreshing acidity, and the refined aromas in the wines produced. The history of the cooperative's vineyards dates back to 1137. For several hundred years, the plots changed owners until these vineyards and cellars were purchased by the noble Starhemberg family. One of the family members sold the plots to several winemakers in the early 20th century. The new owners organized a winemaking cooperative in the 1930s. This association was called "Freie Weingartner Wachau", and in 2008 it was renamed Domane Wachau. The cooperative's land plots are located in all subzones of the valley and cover more than 440 hectares — 30% of the total vineyard area in the Wachau valley. The vineyards of the Domain are located on steep terraces on the slopes of the Danube. All plots are enclosed by natural stone walls and are considered part of the UNESCO World Heritage cultural heritage. The main variety grown in the cooperative is Grüner Veltliner, which occupies 55% of the vineyards. This unique white variety shows no higher quality in any other region of Austria than in the Wachau valley. Riesling accounts for 18% of the vineyards. Other varieties grown include Pinot Noir, St. Laurent, Blaufränkisch, Gelber Muskateller, Roter Traminer, Pinot Blanc, Rivaner, and others. White wines account for 90% of total production. The wines are produced at the cooperative's own winery, using only hand-harvested grapes from the members of the winemaking community. The cooperative produces wines in various styles — from light fruity to complex, concentrated wines with great aging potential. In 1999, Domane Wachau was awarded the title of "Winery of the Year" by "Wine & Spirit" magazine.