Grüner Veltliner is a natural cross between Traminer and an obscure grape named St. Georgener—a variety so rare that the remaining vine, near Eisenstadt-Stadt, Austria, is a protected national monument. Despite vandalism damaging the St. Georgener vine in 2011, efforts are underway to revive it for potential wine production. Grüner Veltliner is considered the most important white grape variety in Austria and accounts for a third of all vineyards in the country. The variety is also grown and produced in neighboring Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In Europe, Grüner Veltliner ripens in mid-season but in Philo, for whatever reason, the variety seems to be an early ripener.
Thomas Glanz and his cousin Franz ![[above]](/images/buttons/arrow_up.gif)
were harvest interns at Navarro in 2003. Thomas now has his own winery near Heidelberg, Austria.
Daisy taking a nap from wine tasting. ![[below]](/images/buttons/arrow_down.gif)
For the three vintages we've produced Grüner, they were some of the first grapes harvested for still wine, competing with Gewürztraminer for the "earliest" title. To craft our Grüner, the grapes were harvested cold, then destemmed and lightly pressed. After cold-settling, we fermented the clear juice in temperature-controlled oak ovals; once the fermentation was finished and the wine was dry, we topped up the casks and aged the wine seven months on the yeast that transformed juice into wine. The wine is perfumed, bone dry and full flavored, with good acidity and distinctive notes of spice and citrus zest.
Gold Medal winner. Best of Show. 99 points.
