Frischengruber Federspiel Ried Steiger 2023

Profile & Story

Weingut Georg Frischengruber is a family estate in Rührsdorf, in Austria's Wachau region, farmed by the same family since 1842 and today run by Sandra and Georg. The estate practices organic viticulture without synthetic pesticides or artificial fertilizers, relying on precise harvest timing, gentle pressing, natural fermentation and extended aging on fine lees, and it supports biodiversity in the vineyards through grazing sheep of the Ouessant and Krainer Steinschaf breeds. Georg's stated aim is to make wines that reflect their origin while adapting cellar practices and grape selection to the challenges of a changing climate. The Wachau is a steep, terraced stretch of the Danube valley known for primary rock and loess soils, and its wines are classified under the Vinea Wachau Codex into three tiers of ripeness and body: the lightest Steinfeder, the medium-bodied, dry Federspiel, and the riper, more powerful Smaragd. Frischengruber's range centers on Grüner Veltliner and Riesling across several single-vineyard sites in both the Federspiel and Smaragd categories. This wine is a Grüner Veltliner from the Ried Steiger vineyard, bottled in the Federspiel style, the estate's classically dry, medium-bodied tier.