Dürnstein cooperative working organic Wachau parcels, from entry level Riesling to named site wines and Grüner Veltliner Federspiel.
The producer
Domäne Wachau is a cooperative based in Dürnstein and led by Roman Horvath MW and Heinz Frischengruber. Its vineyards include more than 160 hectares of organically cultivated vines, divided into small parcels and worked mainly by hand. The cooperative also works with 250 growers farming 450 hectares. Riesling and Grüner Veltliner anchor the range, which includes entry level Riesling, named site Riesling from Ried Achleiten, and Grüner Veltliner Federspiel wines. Single vineyard wines are generally matured in large casks to avoid overt oak.
Known for
Organic Wachau site wines
Notable facts
Domäne Wachau adopted its present name in 2008 after being known as Freie Weingärtner Wachau.
The estate has more than 160 hectares of organically cultivated vineyards.
The cooperative works with 250 growers farming 450 hectares.
Single vineyard wines are generally matured in large casks to avoid overt oak influence.
The story
The 2024 Falstaff Award
In 2024, Falstaff named Domäne Wachau its Winemaker of the Year. The award recognized almost twenty years of work by winery director and Master of Wine Roman Horvath and winemaker Heinz Frischengruber on their next generation cooperative model. Horvath is the cooperative's director, and Frischengruber comes from a local family of growers. Together with the growers, they decide picking dates by tasting in each vineyard. Domäne Wachau works parcels in Achleiten, Kellerberg and Singerriedel, and the cooperative works with 250 growers farming 450 hectares.
From the atlas
Domäne Wachau
A Wachau cooperative led by Roman Horvath MW and Heinz Frischengruber, working organic vineyards and named vineyard parcels across the region.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Region
Wachau, Austria
Base
Dürnstein
Main grape
Riesling
Range
Riesling and Grüner Veltliner wines
Defining feature
Small parcels worked mainly by hand
The Producer
Domäne Wachau is led by Roman Horvath MW and Heinz Frischengruber. Its organically cultivated vineyards cover more than 160 hectares and are divided into small parcels worked mainly by hand. Each vigneron cultivates under two hectares on average.
The cooperative works with 250 growers farming 450 hectares and produces around three million bottles annually. The more than 160 hectares concern the estate's organically cultivated vineyards. The 450 hectares concern the growers working with the cooperative and its annual production. Domäne Wachau was formerly called Freie Weingärtner Wachau and adopted its present name in 2008. Falstaff named it Winemaker of the Year 2024.
Place
Dry stone walled terraces are an essential feature of Wachau terroir. The winery is based at Dürnstein 107 in Dürnstein, and Domäne Wachau works parcels in Loibenberg, Achleiten, Singerriedel and Kellerberg. These names appear on wines tied to individual Wachau vineyards.
Wines
Domäne Wachau's range covers an entry level Riesling, a named site Riesling, and two Grüner Veltliner Federspiel wines. Domäne Wachau Riesling Selection 2024 is the entry level Riesling, with pear, apple, melon and white flowered peach, supported by herbs, currant leaf and stony citrus freshness. Its finish is clean and tightening.
Domäne Wachau Riesling Smaragd Ried Achleiten 2023 is a varietal Riesling from Wachau at 13.5% alcohol and 3.9 g/l residual sugar. It brings white tropical fruit, mandarin zest, stone fruit and blossom honey, with a firm saline finish and ageing potential. The range also includes Domäne Wachau Grüner Veltliner Federspiel Terrassen 2024 and Domäne Wachau Grüner Veltliner Terrassen Federspiel 2025. Single vineyard wines are generally matured in large casks to avoid overt oak influence.
Final Word
Domäne Wachau's range moves from entry level Riesling to single vineyard wines from named Wachau sites, with Grüner Veltliner Federspiel alongside them.