Pittnauer is a high quality, very individual certified Biodynamic estate in Gols, in the Wagram region (formerly Donauland) of Austria. St Laurent, and Pinot Noir are specialities here, as are also Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch.

Owners: Gerhard Pittnauer took on the running of his family estate aged 18. Gerhard runs the estate with his wife Brigitte. Red wine specialities include St Laurent, Pinot Noir. Also Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch, and Chardonnay.

Vineyards: Burgenland–Neusiedlersee. Mix of estate and rented vines, and grape purchases. Vineyard sites: Altenberg, Rosenberg, Setz, Ungerberg.

Biodynamic certification: 2010 Certified organic and Biodynamic for the first time by Lacon (member of respekt-BIODYN).

Biodynamics: Stir by hand in a barrel using a broomstick. Compost. Nettle macerations.

Winery: In 2001 the Pittnauers moved into a new winery in the middle of the vineyards, enabling the grapes to arrive quickly during harvest.

Sparkling wines

Pitt Nat Rosé: Blaufrankisch, Merlot and Syrah. Picked early (slightly unripe) and early morning (cool). WBP. Single fermentation in steel then bottled whilst still fermenting. Disgorged, topped off. NAS.  

White wines

Mash Pitt: 2014 Chardonnay, Grüner Veltliner, Sauvignon Blanc. 21 days on skins. NAS. Oak aged. Slightly cloudy appearance. Natural wine nose, clean but with sour cider/apple mid-palate, very zippy and refreshing at Tenuta Manicor 24th June 2016. | 2018 12% alc. I thought this was outstanding, a natural wine with real zip and texture and just the right amount of naturalness (late Feb 2020).

Perfect Day: 2018 12% alc. Chardonnay, Muscat Ottnel, Gruner Veltliner, Traminer.

Pink wines

Rosé, Dogma: 2015 11%. Pale pink, savoury, very saline, pretty and delicate, very nice and refreshing at Tenuta Manicor 24th June 2016. | 2018 50% Blaufrankisch, 50% St Laurent 12.5% alc. Very interesting in terms of inner freshness and ‘natural wine–ness with just the right amount of alcohol (Feb 2020).

Red wines

(Blauer) Zweigelt, Neusiedlersee:

Blaufränkisch Klassik: 2007 Burgenland. 6 months in used 400-litre barrels. High acid grape but softens on this sandy soil. Soft and youthful (SITT Manchester 23 Feb 2009).

Blaufränkisch, Rosenberg

Blaufränkisch, Ungerberg: Higher clay content here compared to Rosenberg.

Blaufränkisch Heideboden: 2017 12% alc. Sappy dark fruit with colour to match. Very fluid, salty undertow, easy to enjoy and digest. Sits well in the stomach.

Perfect Day: 2018 12% alc.

Pinot Noir, Burgenland: 2018 Pannobile. 13.5%. From vines north of Gols, in Südrand, on the Parndorfer plain.

Pinot Noir, Fuchsenfeld, Neusiedlersee:

Pitti: 50% Zweigelt, 40% Blaufränkisch, 10% Merlot.

Pannobile, Burgenland: 2016 12.5% alc. Zweigelt, Blaufrankisch and Sankt Laurent from the best sites. Aged in tonneaux. Bright, savoury, wild fruit, very individual, earthy yet shiny and involving (March 2020).

Contact

Weingut Gerhard and Brigitte Pittnauer

Neubaugasse 90

A-7122 Gols, Austria

Tel+43 02173.3407 | Website: www.pittnauer.com