Wachau

The Wachau is a UNESCO world heritage site and a region of great natural beauty, situated in the Danube River valley between the towns of Melk and Krems. Grape varieties Grüner Veltliner and Riesling predominate here on 1.344 hectares, partly planted in terraces arrayed on steeply inclined hillsides terraces. 232 wineries benefit here from top vineyard sites to produce some of the best white wines in the world, with decades of ageing potential. Since the mid-1980s, the dry white wines of the Wachau have been grouped into three categories by the conservation-minded winegrower’s association "Vinea Wachau", based on their natural alcohol content: fragrant light wines up to 11.5% alcohol are designated "Steinfeder" (named after the local grass stipa pennata), the classic category (11.5–12.5% alcohol) is known as "Federspiel" (a term borrowed from falconry), while powerful reserve wines are called "Smaragd" (min. 12.5% alcohol). The namesake emerald-coloured lizards like to frolic in the Wachau vineyards on sunny days.

Wines

F. X. Pichler

The winery of F. X. Pichler has been in the hands of the Pichler family for five generations and is located in the Wachau Valley. The vineyards are concentrated on the southern side of the Danube and are planted in steep terraces, originating from the 13th century. F. X. Pichler only produces white wines: Grüner Veltliner, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. Since 1999 Lucas Pichler is responsible for the vinification, while his farther Franz Xav ...