Austria | Neusiedlersee, Burgenland

Weingut Umathum

Using Vinolok™ since

2004

Winemaking

Biodynamic, hand-picked wines, large barrels of native Austrian oak, some single vineyard bottlings are matured in smaller oak barrels and barriques.

Why Vinolok™

With its substantial feel and haptic touch, the glass closure exudes quality. It is ideal for export to Asia market, where some other types of closure are not accepted. The glass closure also ensures that the wine stays fresh, without the need for excessive sulphites.

About

The world-famous biodynamic winemaker, Josef Umathum, is an icon of Austrian winemaking. The family tradition and proven history of more than 800 years of wine growing in his vineyards is reflected in all activities, both in the vineyard and in the cellar. The vineyards operate according to the principles of organic farming and biodynamic principles, following the philosophy of Rudolf Steiner. Cellaring is undertaken with great care, and the wines are matured mainly in wooden barrels. Their highquality wines are only offered for sale after over three years of maturation.

Beginning

Josef Umathum first became interested in Vinolok™ after seeing an advertisement in the newspaper. At the time, the winery was struggling with inconsistencies in individual bottles of the same vintage and variety, as well as TCA. Since Josef was on a mission to live according to the principles of Rudolf Steiner, he wanted the closure to be as neutral and harmless as possible. So he contacted his friends, Mr Tement and Mr Sattler, who were already using the glass closure, to make sure it was the right choice. Umathum was the first winery ever to use Vinolok™ for red wine.

Experience

Umathum wines are synonymous with the best Austrian red wines. For them, following biodynamic principles is not a marketing exercise, but a way of life. They have deliberately chosen not to label their wines as organic. Josef believes that growing and bottling wine is a cultural activity in which man consciously influences natural processes. Vinolok™ plays its part in this process with its neutrality, and confirms that both wine and glass have worked well together for centuries.

Grape varieties

Pinot Gris
Sauvignon Blanc
Blaufränkish
Zweigelt
Sankt Laurent

For the first bottling with Vinolok™, I chose my best wine – St Laurent 2003 – because I was convinced I was doing the right thing. And the results confirmed that I was right.

Josef Umathum
Owner

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