Johanneshof Reinisch

40 km southeast of Vienna, we find the quaint and understated villages of Gumpoldskirchen and Tattendorf that have a surprising and long-standing winemaking history. It is here that we find the Johanneshof Reinisch who, today, make some of Austria’s most accomplished and best value wines, including the eponymous Gumpoldskirchner.

Run by the three brothers Reinisch, the winery produces a series of white and red wines that helped increase the status of their region Thermenregion around the world, you can find their wines on Michelin starred wine lists everywhere. The Thermenregion is quite unique, the soil is warmed from thermal spas the run underground. This helps the grapes ripen to a level that they otherwise would not be able to reach and is why you will be greeted with stunning ripe peach and candied lemon notes on the whites and clear, juicy strawberry and blackberry notes on the reds. Famed are the spas in nearby Baden that Beethoven himself used to visit them to alleviate the pain he experienced in later life.

Johanneshof Reinisch work completely organically on their 40Ha estate, and their decision to convert has only enhanced the purity of their wines. The Johanneshof Reinisch Pinot Noir is one of the best Austrian examples below £20 and their Rotgipfler is a stunning, mineral, encapsulating white that will have you fall in love with this special variety, only found in this tiny region. The Johanneshof Reinisch Gumpoldskirchner is a blend of Rotgipfler and Zierfandler and tastes like a sunny afternoon sat on an Austria terrace, overlooking the rolling hills outside of Vienna. Golden hues with fleshy orchard fruit notes and a dazzling, slightly sweet finish.

The Johanneshof Reinisch Zweigelt and St Laurent are juicy, earthy red wines, with bramble fruits and dusty rocks at play, finished by lovely acidic backbones. A winery that we can’t recommend highly enough and the perfect ambassador for quality Austrian wines.