Region: Burgenland, Austria (near Lake Neusiedl)
Grapes: Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch
Body: Medium
Notes: Cherry, plum, and blackcurrant with hints of leather, light spice, and soft tannins, and a savory, stony minerality on the finish
Pairing: Roast pork, grilled sausage, mushroom dishes, or a well-stocked charcuterie board
The Producer
Gut Oggau is the work of Eduard and Stephanie Tscheppe, who took over a derelict 17th-century winery on the shores of Lake Neusiedl in 2007. A two-decade gap between owners had left the vineyards untouched by chemical inputs, giving the couple a clean slate to farm biodynamically from the start; the estate is Demeter certified today. Each wine in the range is named and labeled after a fictional member of the Gut Oggau family.
The Wine
Atanasius is the easygoing, ever-reliable member of the family: a blend of Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch from 35-year-old biodynamic vines rooted in gravel and limestone soils. The hand-harvested, destemmed grapes ferment spontaneously in used 500- and 1200-liter barrels with about three weeks on the skins, then age a full year in the same barrels without bâtonnage before bottling unfined, unfiltered, and with zero added sulfur. The 2024 is rounded and mellow, with cherry, plum, and blackcurrant fruit, a touch of leather and spice, and soft tannins.
Region: Burgenland, Austria (near Lake Neusiedl)
Grapes: Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch
Body: Medium
Notes: Cherry, plum, and blackcurrant with hints of leather, light spice, and soft tannins, and a savory, stony minerality on the finish
Pairing: Roast pork, grilled sausage, mushroom dishes, or a well-stocked charcuterie board
The Producer
Gut Oggau is the work of Eduard and Stephanie Tscheppe, who took over a derelict 17th-century winery on the shores of Lake Neusiedl in 2007. A two-decade gap between owners had left the vineyards untouched by chemical inputs, giving the couple a clean slate to farm biodynamically from the start; the estate is Demeter certified today. Each wine in the range is named and labeled after a fictional member of the Gut Oggau family.
The Wine
Atanasius is the easygoing, ever-reliable member of the family: a blend of Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch from 35-year-old biodynamic vines rooted in gravel and limestone soils. The hand-harvested, destemmed grapes ferment spontaneously in used 500- and 1200-liter barrels with about three weeks on the skins, then age a full year in the same barrels without bâtonnage before bottling unfined, unfiltered, and with zero added sulfur. The 2024 is rounded and mellow, with cherry, plum, and blackcurrant fruit, a touch of leather and spice, and soft tannins.
What is natural wine?
Natural wine is wine made with minimal intervention from the winemaker, using organically or biodynamically grown grapes and without the addition of chemicals or additives such as sulfites. The result is a wine that is unique, expressive, and often has a more complex and nuanced flavor profile than conventional wines. Natural wine is also often associated with sustainable and ethical farming practices, making it a popular choice for those interested in environmentally friendly and socially responsible products.