Schloss Gobelsburg
Encyclopedia
Schloss Gobelsburg is a winery
in the Kamptal wine growing region in Lower Austria
, some 50 miles to the north west of Vienna
. The esteate produces both red and white wine
s.
s of the Zwettl monastery in 1740 and have been in its possession ever since. In 1996, the present managers, Eva and Michael Moosbrugger, took responsibility of the building and the winery, which is directed by Michael Moosbrugger.
at the castle dates back several centuries. After the taking over in 1996, Michael Moosbrugger (who was initially supported by wine producer Willi Bründlmayer) began reforming vineyard work and vinification according to strict quality standards. Of the 39 hectares under vines around the Kamptal village of Langenlois, Gobelsburg’s premium vineyards are the rocky, terraced Zöbinger Heiligenstein and Grub, mostly for Riesling
, as well as the lower-lying Lamm and Gaisberg vineyards, whose sand and loess soils are mainly planted with Grüner Veltliner
. The Grüner Veltliner varietal
makes up 50% of total production, followed by Riesling (25%), St. Laurent
(8%), Zweigelt
and Pinot Noir
(both 6%), and Merlot
(5%). Vineyard work is done exclusively by hand and mostly follows organic
practice. A considerable proportion of Gobelsburg wines is exported.
expression. Oak casks are used sparingly and only for top Grüner Velliner and red wines, otherwise large barrel
s or steel tanks are used for vinification. Mostly natural yeasts are used for fermentation, and yeast contact is preferred for some premium wines. The Tradition line of wines is using methods drawn from historical winemaking practice.
Winery
A winery is a building or property that produces wine, or a business involved in the production of wine, such as a wine company. Some wine companies own many wineries. Besides wine making equipment, larger wineries may also feature warehouses, bottling lines, laboratories, and large expanses of...
in the Kamptal wine growing region in Lower Austria
Lower Austria
Lower Austria is the northeasternmost state of the nine states in Austria. The capital of Lower Austria since 1986 is Sankt Pölten, the most recently designated capital town in Austria. The capital of Lower Austria had formerly been Vienna, even though Vienna is not officially part of Lower Austria...
, some 50 miles to the north west of Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
. The esteate produces both red and white wine
Wine
Wine is an alcoholic beverage, made of fermented fruit juice, usually from grapes. The natural chemical balance of grapes lets them ferment without the addition of sugars, acids, enzymes, or other nutrients. Grape wine is produced by fermenting crushed grapes using various types of yeast. Yeast...
s.
History
The oldest archaeological finds at the Gobelsburg site date back some 4,000 years, and a castle of this name is mentioned in 1178. The Renaissance structure underlying the present face of the castle was renovated in baroque style in 1725. Having belonged to various aristocratic families, castle and grounds were sold to the Cistercian monkMonk
A monk is a person who practices religious asceticism, living either alone or with any number of monks, while always maintaining some degree of physical separation from those not sharing the same purpose...
s of the Zwettl monastery in 1740 and have been in its possession ever since. In 1996, the present managers, Eva and Michael Moosbrugger, took responsibility of the building and the winery, which is directed by Michael Moosbrugger.
Estate
Wine productionWinemaking
Winemaking, or vinification, is the production of wine, starting with selection of the grapes or other produce and ending with bottling the finished wine. Although most wine is made from grapes, it may also be made from other fruit or non-toxic plant material...
at the castle dates back several centuries. After the taking over in 1996, Michael Moosbrugger (who was initially supported by wine producer Willi Bründlmayer) began reforming vineyard work and vinification according to strict quality standards. Of the 39 hectares under vines around the Kamptal village of Langenlois, Gobelsburg’s premium vineyards are the rocky, terraced Zöbinger Heiligenstein and Grub, mostly for Riesling
Riesling
Riesling is a white grape variety which originated in the Rhine region of Germany. Riesling is an aromatic grape variety displaying flowery, almost perfumed, aromas as well as high acidity. It is used to make dry, semi-sweet, sweet and sparkling white wines. Riesling wines are usually varietally...
, as well as the lower-lying Lamm and Gaisberg vineyards, whose sand and loess soils are mainly planted with Grüner Veltliner
Grüner Veltliner
Grüner Veltliner is a variety of white wine grape variety grown primarily in Austria, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. It has a reputation of being a particularly food-friendly wine...
. The Grüner Veltliner varietal
Varietal
"Varietal" describes wines made primarily from a single named grape variety, and which typically displays the name of that variety on the wine label. Examples of grape varieties commonly used in varietal wines are Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Merlot...
makes up 50% of total production, followed by Riesling (25%), St. Laurent
St. Laurent (grape)
St. Laurent is a highly aromatic dark-skinned wine grape variety of the same family as Pinot Noir, originating in France....
(8%), Zweigelt
Zweigelt
Zweigelt is a red wine grape variety developed in 1922, at the Federal Institute for Viticulture and Pomology at Klosterneuburg, Austria, by Fritz Zweigelt. It was a crossing of St. Laurent and Blaufränkisch. It is now the most widely-grown red grape variety in Austria, as well as having some...
and Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir
Pinot noir is a black wine grape variety of the species Vitis vinifera. The name may also refer to wines created predominantly from Pinot noir grapes...
(both 6%), and Merlot
Merlot
Merlot is a darkly blue-coloured wine grape, that is used as both a blending grape and for varietal wines. The name Merlot is thought to derive from the Old French word for young blackbird, merlot, a diminutive of merle, the blackbird , probably from the color of the grape. Merlot-based wines...
(5%). Vineyard work is done exclusively by hand and mostly follows organic
Organic farming
Organic farming is the form of agriculture that relies on techniques such as crop rotation, green manure, compost and biological pest control to maintain soil productivity and control pests on a farm...
practice. A considerable proportion of Gobelsburg wines is exported.
Winemaking
Gobelsburg winemaking emphasizes traditional varietals and terroirTerroir
Terroir comes from the word terre "land". It was originally a French term in wine, coffee and tea used to denote the special characteristics that the geography, geology and climate of a certain place bestowed upon particular varieties...
expression. Oak casks are used sparingly and only for top Grüner Velliner and red wines, otherwise large barrel
Wine barrel
The use of oak plays a significant role in winemaking and can have a profound effect on the resulting wine, affecting the color, flavor, tannin profile and texture of the wine. Oak can come into contact with wine in the form of a barrel during the fermentation or aging periods...
s or steel tanks are used for vinification. Mostly natural yeasts are used for fermentation, and yeast contact is preferred for some premium wines. The Tradition line of wines is using methods drawn from historical winemaking practice.