Rainer Wess > Wachau

WACHAU

Only the most essential information about Wess wines is present on the labels: the varietal (Grüner Veltliner or Riesling), the vintage (2003) and the appellation. Is it possible that Wess has a view to the future? We think maybe so. For the time being Wess is making wine from purchased grapes. This may seem a risky proposition, but then consider that in his time at FWW, Wess learned to distinguish the best vineyards in the Wachau and how to coax premium fruit from the vines. His relationships in the valley with growers have served him well, and the wines are a testament to that. A fantastic beginning.

Rainer Wess Website

Grüner Veltliner Pfaffenberg

100% Gruner Veltliner. Some of the grapes come from plantings located in Kremstal (even though they are situated right next to Loibenberg) and the rest are from Wachau vineyards that almost reach the Danube (where Loibenberg is about 300 m from the river). The soils are mostly sandy clay with underlying primary gneiss.

The warm southeast facing provides enough fruit to make it accessible, but Pfaffenberg's steeply terraced rocky plantings dominate the wine. A truly mineral driven powerhouse that would benefit from a year or two of aging with the potential to develop over the next 5 to 10 years.

Grüner Veltliner Wachauer

100% Grüner Veltliner. Multiple harvests for best ripeness from the more or less flat Oberhauser, Sätzen, Mitterfeld, and Supperin districts. They are planted on stony alluvial soils covered with layers of loess. This location in eastern Wachau is influenced by the Pannonian Climate.

Wachauer is not a single vineyard designation but refers to a area at the eastern end of the Wachau valley. This area is warmed by gentle Pannonian breezes and this is the basis for an aromatic, light and uncomplicated Grüner. It is easy to drink as aperitif but also works with a wide variety of appetizers and lighter entrees.

Grüner Veltliner Wess

Riesling Loibenberg

100% Riesling. Sourced from the terraced vineyards around Loibenberg reaching up to 450 meters above sea level. Ideal south to southeast facing planted on weathered earth with layers of loess and clay and underlying primary gneiss.

Wines from the Loibenberg district have a distinct personality and character due to a combination of a cool microclimate, long hang time before harvest, and poor gneiss laden soils. This offering displays refined fruit, good mineral structure, and a powerful body. The overall effect can be summed up in one word - density.

Riesling Pfaffenberg

Riesling Wachauer

100% Riesling. Sourced primarily from the "Spitzer Graben" arean in the Bruck domain, but fruit also comes from the Breitl domain just in front of the city of Loibenberg. Planted in barren soils of primary gneiss with some loess. Microclimate moderated by cooling winds.

'Wachauer' is not a single vineyard designation but refers to an area at the eastern end of the Wachau valley. The Wachauer is a light and easy drinking Riesling with plenty of fruit in its bouquet and light mineral nuances on the clean refreshing finish. A superlative aperitif but also works with a wide variety of appetizers and lighter entrees.

Riesling Wess