Heinrich, Pannobile, Burgenland, Austria

Gernot and Heike Henrich are life long innovators. Since taking over the family estate in 1985 they have constantly sought to improve and explore. Now farming biodynamically, which they see as being right for the planet and better for the wines, they were among the first in the region to move to focus on quality and champion local grape varieties.

Gols is one of the main villages in the Burgenland winemaking region of Austria, south of Vienna on the shores of Lake Neusiedl on the border of Hungary. In the mid 1990's, in an effort to raise the profile of the region and to facilitate sharing ideas and techniques, nine local wineries joined forces to work alongside each other, Heinrich being one of the key instigators. The group was named "Pannobile", a portmanteau of the word "Pannonian" which was part of the Roman empire in the area of Gols, and the word "nobility". This wine is named in honour of that group and as a reflection the grapes it is made from come from the best sites on south facing slopes in Gols and east facing slopes on Leithaberg.

A blend of local varieties Zweigelt and Blaufrankisch, all grapes are hand picked, fermentation takes place using wild yeasts in wooden vats after which the wine sits and macerates on the skins for 3 weeks. It is then gently basket pressed before ageing for up to two years in 500 litre oak barrels.

The result is a rich, layered wine, with black and blue fruits, cracked pepper and velvety tannins. Delicious with some slow cooked meat or a rich vegetable stew.