2022 Rudi Pichler Grüner Veltliner Smaragd "Ried Achleiten", Wachau, Austria

ABOUT THE WINE

Sourced from Ried Achleiten, a steep terraced vineyard above the Danube in Weissenkirchen, this Smaragd captures the combination of warmth, exposure, and mineral-rich soils that gives the site its distinctive character. The vineyard’s terraces contain weathered primary rock and gneiss, with pockets of loess and other mineral material, contributing both depth and a pronounced stony character. In the glass, the 2022 vintage shows the richness expected of Smaragd while retaining the precision and freshness that define great Wachau Grüner Veltliner.

Made from 100% Grüner Veltliner, the wine is dry, full-bodied, and intensely flavored, with ripe orchard and stone fruit framed by white pepper, citrus, herbs, and mineral tones. Fermentation and maturation are handled with a restrained approach designed to preserve the purity of the fruit and the identity of the vineyard rather than overlaying it with obvious oak. The result is a wine of considerable substance, but one whose energy comes from acidity, minerality, and fine texture.

This is a natural partner for Dungeness crab, oysters, roast chicken, Wiener schnitzel, smoked trout, grilled prawns, asparagus, and rich vegetable dishes. Its combination of body and acidity also makes it especially compelling with dishes featuring cream, butter, or delicate sauces.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER

Rudi Pichler is one of the Wachau’s most respected estates, based in Wösendorf and deeply rooted in the region’s steep, terraced vineyards. The Pichler family has farmed vines in the Wachau for generations, with Rudi Pichler and his family building a reputation for wines that combine power, precision, minerality, and remarkable longevity.

The estate works across some of the Wachau’s most distinguished sites, with a strong emphasis on careful vineyard cultivation and expressing the character of individual terraces. Grüner Veltliner and Riesling are the estate’s principal varieties, and the wines are particularly admired for balancing the natural richness of Wachau fruit with vibrant acidity and site-specific mineral character.

The Achleiten Smaragd represents the estate at its most profound: a wine that is simultaneously generous and tightly structured, with the concentration to develop beautifully in bottle while remaining unmistakably Grüner Veltliner and unmistakably Wachau.