Carinthian wine enjoys considerable recognition, often more so abroad than at home. This is surprising given that Carinthia is historically Austria’s oldest wine-growing region, offering particularly compelling climatic and geological conditions. Loschental, located in the Lavant Valley near St. Paul, lies at the heart of this tradition: it is part of Carinthia in southern Austria and represents the country’s oldest viticultural area.
“We have excellent conditions for wine production and several outstanding producers,” Sabine David explains. “Yet people in Carinthia sometimes still struggle to fully appreciate the value of wine from their own region.” Trained as a mechanical engineer, David entered winemaking as a career changer in 2010, initially cultivating a small vineyard as a hobby. The decisive step toward professional production came in 2012 with the purchase of the traditional farm known as vulgo Ritter in St. Paul im Lavanttal.

“Ritter,” meaning knight in German, is the historic Austrian name of the estate – an identity rooted in local tradition and still closely tied to the character of the winery today.

At present, four vineyards extend across two hectares, each defined by distinct soil profiles—a particularly intriguing aspect for wine connoisseurs. “I work with limestone soils, primary rock, and even up to two metres of clay sitting on a karst base,” says David, describing a combination that is unusual for Carinthia. “I find it fascinating to observe how different soils shape the character of the wines. Limestone-grown wines are typically lean and mineral,” she continues, referencing France’s Champagne region as the world’s most famous limestone terroir. “Clay is heavy, and the wines are broader and more powerful. Clay brings weight, while limestone delivers elegance and finesse.” These contrasts can be experienced directly during tastings, where guests sample three Chardonnays from three different vineyard sites, each defined by its soil type. The differences are unmistakable.

Alongside Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Muskateller, Pinot Noir, Rotburger and Blauburger, new grape varieties will soon enter production. A newly planted vineyard is farmed organically, without chemical plant protection. Here, Souvignier Gris is growing, but the focus lies on Satin Noir and Cabernet Cortis, which are intended to form a future cuvée. Family life is closely interwoven with the estate: the couple’s three children, still of kindergarten and primary school age, already help out enthusiastically in the vineyards. David’s husband, Dominique, has recently taken up craft brewing as a hobby. The estate also offers tastings in an idyllic farm setting, with the beers now available for purchase as well. In addition, the property serves as a venue for weddings, corporate events and private celebrations.

The wines of Weingut vlg. Ritter are highly regarded in Austrian gastronomy and hospitality, as well as by private customers, and are exported as far as the United States. Annual production amounts to around 10,000 bottles. The now well-known label features an illustration showing Dominique himself; its distinctive artistic style appears to give form to the “Ritter”.

Each year, the wines receive multiple international gold and silver awards. In addition, Sabine David has expanded the range to include vermouth. “For a long time, it was considered old-fashioned, but it has made a strong comeback as a long drink or as an aperitif,” she explains. “We serve it, for example, with tonic, and it’s extremely well received. We have everything we need right here: the wine, the grape spirit we produce ourselves, and the herbs from our own garden.” The estate’s first sparkling wine, Vin de Femme, produced in collaboration with fellow winemaker and farmer Martina Lippitz, has also enjoyed great success.

Last summer, David operated a pop-up vinotheque at Lake Klopeiner See together with fellow winemakers from Klagenfurt, the first of its kind, featuring exclusively Carinthian wines. “Wine lovers and gastronomy professionals came from all over Austria. Many told us they had heard a lot about Carinthian wine but had no idea where to find it.” Stronger word-of-mouth, better marketing and a reputation that truly reflects the quality of local wines are still in the making, says the Lavant Valley winemaker, who is working closely with her colleagues toward that goal. “The best advice I can give is to visit the winemakers directly, taste the wines on site, and experience the region’s true potential for yourself.”

The post The “Knight” and their Wine first appeared on STAGES OF TASTE – Magazine.

 In Loschental near St. Paul (Carinthia, Austria), the Ritter vineyard produces Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and other varieties, and will soon be adding new organic varieties to its range. Sabine David’s multi-award-winning wines are pioneering the future of Carinthia as a wine-growing region.

Carinthian wine is very popular, but usually more so outside the region. This is despite the fact that Carinthia is historically Austria’s oldest wine-growing region and is interesting in terms of both climate and geology. ‘We have the best conditions for wine production and there are some very good producers. But Carinthians sometimes still find it difficult to appreciate wine from their own region,’ sums up winemaker Sabine David in an interview. The mechanical engineer started as a career changer with her first hobby vineyard in 2010. When she acquired the Hof vulgo Ritter in St. Paul im Lavanttal in 2012, the foundation for professional wine production was laid.

Today, four vineyards thrive on two hectares of land with different soil characteristics. This is an exciting factor for wine connoisseurs. ‘I have limestone soil, primary rock, but also two metres of loam on a karst stock,’ reveals David. This is an unusual combination for Carinthia. “I find it exciting to see what the soils are like and how they influence the taste. Limestone wines are usually very light and mineral,‘ the winemaker continues, referring to the French Champagne region as the most famous of all limestone regions. ’Loam soil is heavy, and the wines are also broader

and heavier. Loam is powerful, limestone produces light and elegant wines.” Guests can taste the direct difference in three Chardonnays – and taste it too!

 In addition to Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Muscat, Pinot Noir, Rotburger and Blauburger, new varieties are to be cultivated in the future. The new vineyard, which is organically farmed – i.e. without chemical plant protection products – is only a few months old. Souvignier Gris is grown there, but mainly Satin Noir and Cabernet Cortis, which are to be used to produce a cuvée. The three children, who are of nursery and primary school age, already help out actively in the vineyard. Dominique recently started brewing beer as a hobby. The winery also offers tastings at its idyllic farm, and the beers are now also available for purchase. In addition, the winery offers space for weddings, company outings and celebrations of all kinds.

Trade & Projects

The wines are appreciated in Austrian restaurants and hotels as well as by private customers, and are also exported to the USA. 10,000 bottles are produced annually, and the distinctive label features

an illustration by Sabine’s husband Dominique. Every year, the wines win several international gold and silver awards. Sabine has also started producing vermouth. “It was a dusty drink for a long time, but it’s back in vogue in the form of long drinks or as an aperitif! We serve it with tonic, for example, and it’s really popular. And we have everything we need for it: we

have the wine, we make the brandy and I add the herbs from the garden.”

Last summer, she ran a pop-up wine bar on Lake Klopeiner

See together with Klagenfurt winegrowers, the first of its kind, stocked exclusively with Carinthian wine. ‘Wine and food lovers from all over Austria came by. Many said they had heard a lot about Carinthian wine but didn’t know where to get it.’ Increased word of mouth, better marketing and a reputation that does justice to local wines are things that still need to develop, according to the friendly Lavant Valley native, who

is working together with colleagues to achieve this. ‘I can only recommend going directly to the winemakers to get to know the wines and get an idea of their potential.’

The post The Magic of the Soil: Winemaker Sabine David About Her Wines first appeared on STAGES OF TASTE – Magazine.

The alliance between Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia under the title ‘WineVision by Open Balkan’ focuses on international solidarity, setting aside unsuccessful politics and offering emerging wine regions a stage they have long deserved.

Different Balkan countries sitting down at the same table: a rarity – at least politically. The new initiative ‘WineVision by Open Balkan’ highlights what connects southern Europe: the wines of the Balkan region. The project was presented at Steirereck in Standpark in the presence of politicians and the press. The hosts, including Serbian Chamber of Commerce President Marko Čadež and Falstaff Editor-in-Chief Peter Moser, presented the project during an extensive wine tasting lunch. In a joint effort by Serbia, Albania and North Macedonia, WineVision celebrated its premiere as an extensive wine fair in Belgrade in 2022, bringing together 350 wineries from the countries of the Open Balkan initiative and beyond.

‘Wine achieves what politics has failed to achieve in 40 years,’ said Serbia’s Chamber of Commerce President Čadež on the importance of international exchange and the wine fair, which is now to take place annually and will be held again from 13 to 19 November 2023. ‘We have doubled our wine-growing area in 10 years,’ Čadež continued, ‘and demand has quadrupled. We have learned how to make top-quality wines and now want to gain a foothold in the international wine business. There is a lot to learn from Austria, which has risen to become the world champion within 20 years.’

Soils steeped in history

While the classic Western wine countries dominate our minds and wine racks, and self-proclaimed connoisseurs may at best refer to South Africa, South America or Australia, the Balkan countries so close to us remain under the radar. Yet South-Eastern Europe, with its ideal climatic conditions and excellent vegetation, is a paradise for fruit and wine. Today’s comparatively small cultivation areas and production figures cause us to overlook the long history of wine, which dates back to the 8th century BC. At that time, the Illyrians in Albania were already growing wine, pressing it and giving it its quality and renown well into the 15th century, until production declined under Ottoman rule. After several turbulent centuries, wine production in Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia is now developing rapidly for the first time and promises a glorious future – perhaps a future that will bring the countries closer together beyond political and territorial tensions?

The post Sunny South: Wine regions of the future first appeared on STAGES OF TASTE – Magazine.