New winemakers and reopened venue seek to revive Eisenberg

New winemakers are taking over vineyards on Eisenberg as the wine-growing area faces challenges including grapevine leafhoppers and falling wine consumption, ORF reports. A restaurant and lodging facility have also reopened, in what the local municipality hopes will help revive the region.

Pirmin Winklhofer was named Gault Millau’s “Newcomer of the Year” this year. His Löffler-Winklhofer winery began on Hannersberg and now works vineyards on Csaterberg and Eisenberg. He currently farms half a hectare on Eisenberg and said he may expand that area, despite the difficulties facing winegrowers.

The Ratschen restaurant and its lodging facility in Deutsch Schützen were bought out of insolvency by Germany’s Lindner Group. Its bistro and wellness area, along with the lodging facility, have reopened; the restaurant is due to open in a later phase. The group also owns Groszer Wein winery in Burg and plans to build a wine cellar alongside the Ratschen.

Deutsch Schützen Mayor Franz Wachter said the reopening was a welcome addition to the municipality and the wider region. The municipality is now looking for more newcomers to take up winegrowing.

Among them is Oscar Szemes, who has acquired vineyards on Eisenberg. He runs a dining establishment and a wine tavern in Pinkafeld with his sister Anna, who handles the food while he makes the wine. Szemes said he had long been fascinated by the wine-growing area and saw an opportunity when several growers retired or stopped farming. He said the vineyards he took over are in top locations and managed organically.

Winklhofer is also moving from conventional to organic winegrowing. He is relocating his winery and wine tavern to Hannersberg, where an old wine cellar building with a view of Eisenberg is being renovated. The work is expected to be completed next year.