Pittnauer

Gerhard Pittnauer inherited around four hectares from his parents at the start of the 1990s - he was roughly eighteen when his father died unexpectedly - and with his wife Brigitte ("the Pittis") built what is now one of Austria's most recognised natural-wine estates. Based in Gols, on the northeast shore of Lake Neusiedl, Neusiedlersee, Burgenland.

Today the estate works around eighteen to twenty hectares, approximately ninety-five percent red, with high-density plantings (up to seven thousand vines per hectare) and strict yield limits. The signature grape is Sankt Laurent - a variety most Austrian producers treat as a blending component but that Pittnauer champions as a standalone, silky, refined red. Also Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt, Cabernet Sauvignon, and whites including Grüner Veltliner, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Welschriesling, and Muskateller. Skin-contact whites are a more recent addition.

Biodynamic since 2006, certified in 2009. Gerhard co-founded the Respekt international biodynamic winegrowers' association in 2007. He has been a member of Pannobile since 1998 - the Gols collective (founded 1994 by seven producers) that championed regional varieties and terroir expression over international styles.

The cuvées: Pannobile (the collective's flagship red blend), Blaufränkisch Rosenberg, Blaufränkisch Heideboden, Altenberg Reserve, Sankt Laurent (single vineyard), Pitti Nat Blanc and Pitti Nat Rosé (pétillant naturel), Rosé King, Velvet (approachable red blend), Mash Pitt. The labels are playful, the winery doubles as an art gallery, and none of it is accidental.

Falstaff Winegrower of the Year in 2014. Gault Millau top honours in 2016.