Region: Weinviertel, Austria
Grapes: Roesler, Blauburgunder (Pinot Noir)
Body: Light
Notes: Tart sour cherries, cranberries, wild raspberries, subtle earthy herbs, touch of licorice, with a refreshing, bone-dry palate and a creamy, gentle fizz
Pairing: Charcoal-grilled burgers, BBQ pulled pork, wood-fired mushroom pizza, cured charcuterie meats, or crispy duck breast
Michael Gindl is one of the most compelling faces of Austria’s low-intervention wine renaissance, operating a closed-loop, highly autarkic (self-sufficient) farm in the village of Hohenruppersdorf within the Weinviertel. After completing agricultural school in 2002, Gindl took over his family’s historic estate, which dates back to 1807. Dissatisfied with the industrial, heavily manipulated winemaking styles he was taught, he looked back to the minimalist, hands-off practices of his grandfather. Today, the 10-hectare estate is Demeter-certified biodynamic, run as a fully integrated ecosystem complete with highland cattle, horses for plowing, and Breton dwarf sheep that naturally graze and weed the vineyards. Underscoring his commitment to the land, Gindl even crafts his own aging barrels utilizing oak and acacia harvested directly from his family's personal forests.
The 2021 "Bubbles" Pet-Nat is a brilliantly unorthodox sparkling red crafted via the ancestral method (méthode ancestrale). Defying the conventional white and rosé trends of the sparkling world, Gindl weaves together Roesler—a deeply pigmented, disease-resistant grape variety native to Austria—with Blauburgunder (Pinot Noir). The whole clusters undergo a spontaneous 4-day fermentation with native wild yeasts in stainless steel tanks before being bottled while fermentation is still active, trapping the natural carbon dioxide to form a fine, creamy mousse. True to Gindl’s strict philosophy, the wine is bottled entirely "zero-zero"—completely unfiltered, unfined, and without any added sulfur or dosage. It pours a deep, muddy red-purple and bursts with vibrant, crunchy forest fruits anchored by a wild, savory herbal edge, delivering a juicy and deeply refreshing profile that thrives when served with a chill.
Region: Weinviertel, Austria
Grapes: Roesler, Blauburgunder (Pinot Noir)
Body: Light
Notes: Tart sour cherries, cranberries, wild raspberries, subtle earthy herbs, touch of licorice, with a refreshing, bone-dry palate and a creamy, gentle fizz
Pairing: Charcoal-grilled burgers, BBQ pulled pork, wood-fired mushroom pizza, cured charcuterie meats, or crispy duck breast
Michael Gindl is one of the most compelling faces of Austria’s low-intervention wine renaissance, operating a closed-loop, highly autarkic (self-sufficient) farm in the village of Hohenruppersdorf within the Weinviertel. After completing agricultural school in 2002, Gindl took over his family’s historic estate, which dates back to 1807. Dissatisfied with the industrial, heavily manipulated winemaking styles he was taught, he looked back to the minimalist, hands-off practices of his grandfather. Today, the 10-hectare estate is Demeter-certified biodynamic, run as a fully integrated ecosystem complete with highland cattle, horses for plowing, and Breton dwarf sheep that naturally graze and weed the vineyards. Underscoring his commitment to the land, Gindl even crafts his own aging barrels utilizing oak and acacia harvested directly from his family's personal forests.
The 2021 "Bubbles" Pet-Nat is a brilliantly unorthodox sparkling red crafted via the ancestral method (méthode ancestrale). Defying the conventional white and rosé trends of the sparkling world, Gindl weaves together Roesler—a deeply pigmented, disease-resistant grape variety native to Austria—with Blauburgunder (Pinot Noir). The whole clusters undergo a spontaneous 4-day fermentation with native wild yeasts in stainless steel tanks before being bottled while fermentation is still active, trapping the natural carbon dioxide to form a fine, creamy mousse. True to Gindl’s strict philosophy, the wine is bottled entirely "zero-zero"—completely unfiltered, unfined, and without any added sulfur or dosage. It pours a deep, muddy red-purple and bursts with vibrant, crunchy forest fruits anchored by a wild, savory herbal edge, delivering a juicy and deeply refreshing profile that thrives when served with a chill.
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.