Austria is not only famous for its white wines; there are beautiful red wines, especially in the Burgenland region of Austria, and also a few kilometers away, in Sopron, Hungary. Among the finest are those of the Weninger family who are considered pioneers in the region. The father and son have both helped show the world what Austria and Hungary are capable of in the production of great wines. Blaufränkisch is the primary variety used, but Zweigelt, Merlot, Zenit, Grüner Veltliner, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Pinot Noir are grown as well. Agriculture is practiced according to the principles of biodynamics, therefore the vineyard is alive and strong.
In 1982 Franz Ludwig Weninger took over the 7-hectare family farm in Central Burgenland. As of the first year, he made several changes and increased the area of the estate to 28 hectares. In the 90s, he acquired new vineyards in Hungary. Today there are 22 hectares of vineyards on two sites around Sopron-Balf near the Austrian border.
In 2000, his son Franz Reinhard Weninger gradually began to take over the estate in Hungary. Then in 2011 he also took over the Austrian part with growing success.
Franz did not just learn the art of making wine from his father, but discovered a true passion. His philosophy is to influence the growth of the plant as little as possible so that the vine finds its own natural balance. In 2004, they completed the conversion to organic farming. Two years later, the biodynamic conversion of the vineyards was an obvious and logical step.
