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Birgit Braunstein considers herself a shepherd of the land on which her family has been winegrowers for nearly 400 years. She is an enigmatic winemaker who believes so deeply in the healing powers of nature that she is fully biodynamic (and a practitioner of Chinese medicine!). Nestled into the Leitha Mountains on the eastern border of Austria, Birgit has cultivated a diverse estate; her bees, goats, sheep and chickens all meander and buzz above the limestone, gneiss-rich soils that run along the shores of Lake Neusiedl.
Winemaker: Birgit Braunstein
Varieties: 100% Zweigelt
Farming: Biodynamic
Terroir/Soil: Schist
Vinification: Spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel tank with 20 days of maceration.
Aging: 12 months in small oak barrels and large acacia cask.
Tasting Notes: Spicy, brambly fruits (mission fig, blackberries) are underscored by intense florals and, menthol and fresh tobacco. Silky fruits are framed by firm, integrated tannins and a long, bright finish.
From our 2022 July Explorer Club Bottle Notes:
Brigit Braunstein | Mitterjoch Zweigelt | Burgenland, Austria | 2019
Birgit Braunstein considers herself a shepherd of the land on which her family has been winegrowers for nearly 400 years. She is an enigmatic winemaker who believes so deeply in the healing powers of nature that she is fully biodynamic (and a practitioner of Chinese medicine!). Nestled into the Leitha Mountains on the eastern border of Austria, Birgit has cultivated a diverse estate; her bees, goats, sheep and chickens all meander and buzz above the limestone, gneiss-rich soils that run along the shores of Lake Neusiedl.
Zweigelt is a red grape native to Austria, where it is the nation’s most planted dark variety. Made from a crossing of Blaüfrankisch and Saint-Laurent, the grape is known for its firm, full-bodied characteristic, with aromas of sour cherry and brambly blackberries. Birgit captures all the classic hallmarks of this grape in this bottling of Mitterjoch. (The name refers to the tallest peak in the Austrian Alps, a reflection of Birgit’s love for nature.)
After Birgit and her 15-person crew harvest the grapes by hand, they ferment the juice in stainless steel before aging it for 12 months in small oak barrels and large acacia casks. The wine is snappy and fresh, with lots of juicy black fruits and smoky herbal components to underscore the dusty tannic component of the Zweigelt. I love to pair it with grilled sausages from Olivier’s, lamb biryani, or barbecue chicken on the grill. —Simi Grewal
