The Winkler-Hermaden winery is located in the southeast of Styria, in the middle of the volcanic region of Styria, just a few kilometres from the Slovenian and Hungarian borders. The farm has been run as a family business since 1918. Regionality, sustainability and hospitality take centre stage at the winery, hotel and restaurant.
Of the 38 hectares of organically farmed vineyards (Ried Kirchleiten, Ried Schlosskogel, Ried Rosenleiten, Ried Winzerkogel), around two thirds are located around the Kapfensteiner Kogel and the rest in Klöch, 15 kilometres to the south (Ried Ölberg, Ried Hochwarth, Ried Grafenstückl). The focus of winemaking is on terroir-emphasised, multi-layered and mineral wines with a long maturation period. The motto: selective hand-picking, gentle grape processing and as little intervention as possible in the subsequent ageing of the wines. The aim is to bring out the typical character of the soil and the respective varieties in the wines.
The estate has been cultivated organically since 2009, with the first certified organic harvest in 2012. Since 2022, the winery has been committed to organic regenerative agriculture. The aim is to compensate for nutrient imbalances and build up humus and soil life. The vineyards are permanently greened, natural antagonists of pests are encouraged and fertilised with home-made compost. The wood used to make the small oak barrels comes from the family's own forest on the Kapfensteiner Kogel.
The castle itself and the old wine cellars have a long history dating back to the 11th century. Between 1996 and 1998, another cellar, the "Long Cellar", was renovated. Red wine is now stored in small oak barrels in the 60 metre long and 350 year old cross vault.
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