Weingut R & A Pfaffl
Niederösterreich, Weinviertel
Austria

Above: The vineyard, cellar room and wine images. Courtesy and supplied by winery.

Above: Elisabeth and Roman PfaffI posing for us at their booth.

As we read and write, this hectares estate with its vineyards in Weinviertel, in lower Austria (meaning that part of the country which lies lower down the Danube), was founded by the Pfaffl family in 1978. Today, winemaker Roman is joined by his three children, Roman, Heidi and Elisabeth.

23 year old Roman (son; as pictured above) mentioned he works in the cellar, with his family business vineyards are sited on typical Loess soils, with varieties planted across their holdings; from whites such as Grüner Veltliner and Riesling, to reds including Zweigelt and St Laurent which are some of Austria’s classics. There are other international grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

Roman is known to exercise care in the vineyard, minimizing treatments and keeping yields low predominantly by hard pruning, and there is leaf stripping in the summer to encourage ripening. From their pride, results in fruit, healthy and physiologically ripe, which goes into a broad portfolio of wines, marked by full, rich fruit flavors for easy drinking and enjoyment as we tasted through some of their wines. A near 29,000 plus cases are born every year, to be consumed locally and 50% is exported to International markets: Germany, Netherlands, UK in Europe, USA, and Canada etc.

While the price of their wines remains within reach to the average wine consumer, it is marked premium from the list we casually seen. In essence, these are good wines to be had from Weingut Pfaff and they are currently looking for an Asian importer.

Contact Details:
Weingut R&A Pfaffl
Schulgasse 21
A-2100 Stetten im Weinviertel
Tel: 02 2 6267 3423
Fax: 02 2 6267 3423-21
E-Mail: wein@pfaffl.at
Website: Click here. (English translation is currently not available)

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2007 Pfaffl Hundsleiten Grüner Veltliner
Austria

TH24042008. 13.0%. 100% Grüner Veltliner from 30-year-old vines on step slopes sited on stony soils. Fresh and lively nose. Bright acidity. Medium-bodied, good and well balanced, acidity with a short finish. Drink from 2009 to 2011.

2006 Pfaffl Goldjoch Grüner Veltliner
Austria

TH24042008. 13.5%. 100% Grüner Veltliner from its loam based southern facing slope and vineyards. 12 months in oak before bottling and release. Good citrus and white floral bouquet. Medium-bodied, carmelized tones of white fruit, big wood, oak, and a medium finish. Drink from 2008 to 2013.

2007 Pfaffl Terrassen Sonnleiten Riesling
Austria

TH24042008. 12.5%. 100% Riesling from steep terraces sited on rocky soil, unique to this area. Some white fruit with a good fruit purity combustion and a hint of noble rot. Medium-bodied, this wine possess Mosel like mineral qualities and quantity. Simple and easy to drink with a low finishing score. Drink from 2008 to 2010.

2006 Pfaffl Riesling am Berg
Austria

TH24042008. 12.5%. 100% Riesling from a hillside vineyard with porous soil. Fresh and pleasant nose of sweetened citrus notes and some honey. Medium-bodied, green apple like, roundness and a short finish. Lovely wine. Enjoyable now. Drink from 2008 to 2011.

2007 Pfaffl Blauer Zweigelt
Austria

TH24042008 and F25042008. 13.0%. 100% local indigenous grape varietal; Zweigelt from vineyard sited next to its Grüner Veltliner plantings. 3 months oaked before bottling and release. Lovely cherry skins, sappy red fruit. Medium-bodied, with juicy strawberry notes and a short finish. Drink from 2008 to 2011.

2005 Pfaffl Pinot Noir
Austria

TH24042008 and F25042008. 13.5%. 100% Pinot Noir from sandy limestone soils with 18 months in oak before bottling and release. It’s style reminds me fondly of Burgundy’s Bourgogne in both texture and palate, with fruit peel giving way to a mix of light to dark raspberry cherry floral notes. Medium-bodied, despite a higher tone of acidity, it’s balanced with fruit, dry and pinned down by woody tannins and a good decent finish. Drink from now till 2010.

2005 Pfaffl Altenberg St. Laurent
Austria

TH24042008 and F25042008. 13.0%. 100% St. Laurent from loamy based vineyard with 18 months in barrels before bottling and release. A superb effort with density and better depth. Rich ripe cherry fruit and berry. Medium-bodied, primarily a fruit driven palate and finish. Drink from 2008 to 2014.

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Photographs and text by Daniel. Hit us with your best shots; we’ll try our best to listen. Send your inquiries or comments here or via email to jiuwine@gmail.com.