The Pleil family has been involved in viticulture for generations. Christian Pleil also graduated from the viticulture school in Klosterneuburg. It was always clear to him that wine would be his vocation. He gained experience and knowledge during internships in Germany, California, South Africa and Australia before taking over his parents' winery in Wolkersdorf.
Grüner Veltliner enjoys the status of favourite variety; around 40 percent of the vineyard area is planted with it. Other important white wine varieties are Chardonnay and Riesling, while Zweigelt dominates among the red wines.
Recently, PIWI varieties have also been promoted. Currently, 4 percent of the area is already planted with them.
The white wines are vinified in tanks with cooled fermentation to preserve the fruitiness and varietal character. The red wines are brought to maturity with biological acid reduction in wooden barrels, and some are also stored in barriques. Christian Pleil pushes a clear as a bell and refreshing wine style; from the light entry-level wine to the complex reserve. It is important to him to bottle a maximum of authentic varietal and provenance characteristics. How does he manage to do that? "Do everything at the right time," says the winemaker in his unconventional way.
