Leth
Gruner Veltliner Ried Steinagrund – 2021
Region: Austria - Wagram
Leth
Established in the early 1960s, Weingut Leth has become a renowned winery in Fels am Wagram in just three generations. The Leth family are members of the Traditionsweinguter Osterreich (association of traditional wineries in Austria), and believe it is their obligation to express the characteristics of their region, their soils, their climate, their grape varieties and cellars in their wines. Franz Leth, Franz Jr. and the entire Leth family are committed to these ideals.
The Wagram region of Austria is home to Europe’s most extensive loess soil formations. The region formed when glacial winds blew fine particles of agglomerated clay, sand and lime – loess – onto the prehistoric bedrock of the ancient course of the Danube river. The layers are up to 20 meters deep, and enable vine roots to delve deeply and absorb water and nutrients from the mineral-rich subsoils. Combined with the benevolent climate and wide temperature variation from day to night, perfect conditions combine to create unique terroir wines.
The Wine
Vineyard Profile
Single vineyard Steinagrund is a fully terraced hillside in Fels am Wagram. “Steinagrund” translates to “stony ground.”
- Vine age: 30 years
- Altitude: 220 – 280 meters
- Aspect: South
- Soils: Stony, gravelly soil, slightly to deeply covered with Loess
- No herbicides for over 25 years
- No insecticides for over 10 years
- Loess terroir and green cover crops eliminate need for irrigation and fertilizer, following organic standards
Harvest Notes
- Hand harvested with strict berry selection
- Destemmed, 12 hours skin contact
- Settled for 12 hours
- Fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks using indigenous yeasts
- Aged 5 weeks, then portion racked into a separate stainless steel tank to preserve primary fruit characteristics
- Remaining juice racked into large, neutral Acacia oak barrels with fine lees
- Aged on lees until blending and bottling in April
Winemaker's Notes
Ripe aromas of honey melon, yellow apple and a touch of quince. Ethereal exotic hints add to the juicy palate, leading to classic Gruner Veltliner notes of herbal, peppery and spicy fruits on the long, vivid and bone-dry finish.
Wine Summary
100% Gruner Veltliner; alcohol: 12.5%; single, terraced Steinagrund vineyard in Wagram from 220 – 280 meters; vines about 30 years old; hand harvested with strict berry selection; skin contact 12 hours; settled 12 hours; fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks using indigenous yeasts; after 5 weeks part racked to fresh stainless tank, part racked on fine lees into neutral Acacia wood barrels until blending and bottling in April; Certified Sustainable Austria wine.
Technical Information
- 100% Gruner Veltliner
- Alcohol: 12.5%
- Total Acidity: 6.4 g/l
- Residual Sugar: 1.8 g/l
- Certified Sustainable Austria wine
General Info
| Country | Austria |
| Region | Niederösterreich |
| Appellation(s) | Wagram |
| Proprietors | Franz Leth Family |
| Founded | 1960 |
| Winemaker | Franz Leth Jr. |
| Annual Production | 25,000 9L cases |
| Farming (Sustainable, organic, biodynamic) | Sustainable |