Weinviertel | Austria
Genuine natural wines. You can call them natural – but they are simply delicious, artisanal wines that are sought after worldwide for a reason. Michael is passionate about biodynamic farming and his wines are full of soul. He has a lot of help from his sheep, horses, and Bessi (his cow) in the vineyard. They are an essential part of his working philosophy and he shows his commitment to his beloved animal on the labels. SOL is the name of an ancient vineyard in Michael’s home village of Hohenruppersdorf – about 30km north of Vienna.
New to us this year is the ‘Michi’s Farm’ line of wines. It’s Michael’s attempt to help his friends and colleagues in a more long- term sustainable way. All of the fruit that he buys for the range is organically certified, and his aim here is to create a delicious and affordable wine that celebrates the small growers in his region, by paying them a fair market price for their outstanding fruit. Most recently, Michael has also been able to integrate a small piece of land from his wife Teresa and her family in Staatz, about 30 minutes North of Hohenruppersdorf to the mix.
~2021 FLORA~
Gelber Muskateller, Riesling, Scheurebe/Sämling. The name “Flora” expresses not only the fresh and aromatic style of the wine itself but also the beauty of the vineyard at harvest. As the grapes for this blend are picked, the ground cover in the vineyards is still in bloom. The name “Flora” is a way for Michael to convey the fresh, aromatic and crisp style of the wine and also his vineyard. Drinking invokes unripe apricots, apples and elderflower. The floral notes are off the charts but in a really brilliant way. Vibrant acidity, creamy and citrus-driven. The nose is powerful and intense with sweet tropical fruit dry citrus with a touch of mint and herbs. Super fruity and aromatic, this wine is a delight, it’s got a delicate acid structure with a lengthy finish. The refreshment factor here is through the roof!
18 hours on the skins. Stainless on lees.
FLORA | 6 x 750ml | SKU #460744 | $28.51
~2021 LITTLE BUTEO~
Grüner Veltliner is harvested by hand from biodynamically farmed vines. 50% of the grapes are whole-cluster pressed, while 50% macerate on the skins for 4–8 hours. Grapes are slowly and gently pressed over 8 hours. Fermentation occurs spontaneously with native yeast in steel.
Little Buteo aged on the lees without SO2 in steel tanks for 6 months. A gorgeous sunset yellow in the glass, this is a medium-bodied, creamy skin contact white full of salinity, subtle tropical fruits, lifted acidity
LITTLE BUTEO | 6 x 750ml | SKU #446223 | $26.75
~2019 NANU~
Zweigelt. A fun light red with all the mesmerizing qualities of a Zweigelt, with that perfect intrigue that comes from it being a Gindl wine. Known as a great food-pairing grape, this racy-fresh number has notes of raspberries, violets and cinnamon… as well as a touch of freshly ground pepper.
NANU | 6 x 750ml | SKU #460720 | $31.13
~2021 MICHI’S FARM WHITE~
Gruner Veltliner, Gelber Muskateller and Riesling combine for with that’s brightly floral, with bits of yellow fruit and mineral hits. Crisp and refeshing as heck, the Riesling spine to this wine helps it clock in at just 10.5%.
MICHI’S FARM WHITE | 6 x 750ml | +433745 | $23.74
~2021 MICHI’S FARM ORANGE~
Micheal is keeping things consistent with the White, using the same cépage as in the beloved Little Buteo: Gruner Veltliner, Gelber Muskateller, and Riesling. However, this time around, they’ve added a little twist by giving it a bit more skin contact.
After a few weeks of all the grapes on skins, everything starts to sing sweet floral songs & with extended lees aging we get a tender & luxe mouthfeel. Honeysuckle at night, jasmine vines, apricot basket, crisp gooseberry, gravelly undertones & cleansing acidity.
MICHI’S FARM ORANGE | 6 x 750ml | +318896 | $26.12
~2021 MICHI’S FARM RED~
Crafted with a blend of Zweigelt, Blauer Portugieser, and Cabernet Sauvignon, these grapes have spent just around a week or so on the skins, resulting in a wine that’s light, floral, and simply enchanting. With its low tannin and vibrant acidity, it keeps things lively and energetic on your palate. Fermentation process with whole clusters in stainless tanks, and later, the wine is transferred to a combination of stainless steel and old wooden barrels for a gentle aging period of 9 months.
MICHI’S FARM RED | 6 x 750ml | +433751 | $26.12
~RED BESSI~
Michael’s Red Bessi was named after the first cow of the farm. It’s a cuvée of 2 different grape varieties, Zweigelt (80%) and Cabernet Sauvignon. Fermented in Amphoras and matured in big oak casks, the wine has a complex and elegant personality. Notes of cherry, forest fruits and cocoa puffs?