2022 Claus Preisinger "Kalkstein" Blaufrankisch, Burgenland, Austria

ABOUT THIS WINE

The Kalkstein (“limestone”) bottling comes from organically and biodynamically farmed vineyards in Burgenland, where limestone-rich soils impart tension and salinity to the wines. Blaufränkisch, the region’s signature grape, thrives in these conditions, yielding fruit with aromatic lift, vibrant acidity, and a distinctive mineral backbone.

The 2022 vintage was marked by balanced conditions, producing fruit of excellent ripeness without excess weight. Grapes were hand-harvested and fermented spontaneously with native yeasts, often incorporating whole clusters for added freshness and spice. Aging took place in large, neutral oak and amphora, preserving purity while allowing gentle textural development.

The result is a wine that is light on its feet yet complex: red-fruited and floral, with earthy-spicy undertones and a taut, mineral-driven finish. It embodies Blaufränkisch’s ability to be both approachable in youth and capable of graceful aging.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Claus Preisinger is one of Burgenland’s most dynamic and influential winemakers, based in the village of Gols near Lake Neusiedl. Since taking over his family estate in the late 1990s, he has embraced organic and biodynamic farming, minimal intervention in the cellar, and a philosophy of authenticity and sustainability.

His 19 hectares of vineyards are farmed with great care, incorporating biodiversity, composting, and cover crops to foster healthy soils. In the cellar, he favors native yeast fermentations, little to no sulfur, and vessels such as amphora, concrete, and neutral oak to highlight purity of fruit and terroir.

Preisinger’s wines are known for their energy, drinkability, and sense of place. The Kalkstein Blaufränkisch is a benchmark for his style: fresh, mineral, and precise, capturing both the elegance of limestone soils and the grape’s natural vibrancy.