2_0_DiscoverGermany_May2014_Issue14:Scan Magazine 1
10/4/14
10:56
Page 24
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Fine Austrian Wine
Back to Mother Nature Producing quality wines starts with nurturing the vine. Keeping everything organic is the foundation of Andreas Gsellmann’s successful concept and merges the knowledge of a long-established family of winegrowers with an innovative view of our relationship with nature. TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE | PHOTOS: WEINGUT GSELLMANN
Andreas Gsellmann has recently taken over his father Hans’vineyard in Austria’s Gols, which belongs to the wine-growing area of the Burgenland. The history of Gsellmann wines, however, dates back to around 1800. Gsellmann himself explains: “The first documented mention is of a Thomas Gsoellmann from Gols. Gols is the biggest winegrowing community, which has been making wines for several centuries. I manage our winery together with my father since 2005 and I am responsible for the wines, the facilities and our business philosophy since 2011.” Combining a youthful attitude with a classic, timeless image, Andreas Gsellmann has brought the winery back to nature.“I knew I wanted to change quite a few things. It has always been important to me to work in harmony with nature, sensing and fulfilling what the vine needs. On top of that I also wanted to work in a sustainable fashion to
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ensure my children and their children can continue to cultivate our ancestor’s land. Organic farming was the answer for me.” Within three years the winery became completely organic with a recent addition of some pigs and chickens to complement the wine-growing estate. Warm camomile tea is used on the vineyards instead of chemicals and Gsellmann currently experiments without sulphur, usually used to enhance the wine’s durability. The wines include outstanding red wines, dessert wines and white wines. This particularly vast range is due to the estate’s supreme location in the northern Burgenland. “There are not many areas, which can produce this unique diversity of high quality wines,” Gsellman expands. “As autochthonous varieties the Blauer Zweigelt and the Blaufraenkische need to be emphasised, of course. Those two grape varieties are already known far beyond Austria.
Above: Andreas Gsellmann - keeping everything organic Bottom, left: Pannobile 2011 bio Bottom, right: Pinot Noir
In terms of white wines, the Weissburgunder and Grauburgunder represent our area’s best.” Other grape varieties that can be found in Gsellmann’s vinotheque include Chardonnay, Pannobile, Traminer, Eiswein and Heideboden amongst many others. But Gsellmann is not only proud of his wines. He adds with a smile: “I am also proud of our raw ham and salami, which goes perfectly with our wines!” www.gsellmann.at