"From stone to wine" is Toni Bodenstein's motto. His ambition is to exploit the fullest potential of each of his individual sites, with the goal of producing unique, archetypal wines which carry the very essence of their provenance. Known as the "terroirist of the Wachau", the winemaker and chairman of the "Regional Wine Committee Wachau" is guided by a complex philosophy: a melange of history and future, sustainability and naturalness. This dictates that the work in the vineyard and cellar is carried out traditionally yet in tandem with necessary innovation, always striving and searching for the best possible quality. Inspiration and connection to nature are brought to life in authentic wines, the result of a holistic concept paired with sustainable action. Out of respect for nature, appreciation of the surrounding environment and responsibility towards future generations, wines are created that combine elegance and finesse with expressiveness and power, demonstrating that the “grand cru” of the Wachau are amongst the best in the world.

 

Numerous international awards confirm the hard work and philosophy of Ilse and Toni Bodenstein, who team up to run one of Austria's most renowned wineries. The 2019 vintage saw the inclusion of the ideas and objectives of the next generation: son Robert Bodenstein, whose Master's thesis deals with the terroir of Ried Achleiten, has taken on more responsibility. He too is fascinated and challenged by the multi-layered uniqueness of the Wachau terroir.

 

The winery’s main vineyards are partly located in Weißenkirchen (Steinriegl, Zwerithaler, Klaus and Achleiten) as well as in Dürnstein (Kaiserberg and Liebenberg). The Riesling "Wachstum Bodenstein", which owes its filigree finesse to the extreme altitude of 460 metres, is also worthy of note. In the case of Grüner Veltliner, mention should be made of the "Stockkultur" in the Achleiten, where an ancient vineyard yields a concentrated, mineral wine into which one could metaphorically immerse oneself. A Grüner Veltliner with a particularly strong character comes from the oldest vines of the winery in the Kammergut (Ried Zwerithaler). In total, the winery has 18 hectares of vineyards, most of which are planted on steep terraces. For the Bodenstein family, being able to grow and bottle wine in the unique region of the Wachau is both a legacy and a challenge.