Claus Preisinger

Based in his hometown of Gols, on the northern shore of Lake Neusiedl, Claus Preisinger has established himself as one of the leading figures in Burgenland, that warm wine-growing region in southeasternAustria where the mineral-rich soils and moderate continental climate produce vibrant red wines. His wine estate, situated between the lake’s shores and the foothills of the Leitha Mountains, about 100 kilometers south of Vienna, is now a benchmark for natural wine, renowned for the purity and sensitivity of its cuvées, where every step is taken to reveal the terroir’s balance.

Trained in viticulture as a teenager by his father, who at the time owned a few hectares of vineyards in his native region, Claus Preisinger immersed himself in the craft from an early age. After studying oenology, he honed his skills at the Hans Nittnaus wine estate, an iconic Burgenland winery that marked a turning point in the quality of Austrian red wines in the 1990s. This pivotal experience paved the way for an ambitious approach to winemaking, focused on precision through the expression of local grape varieties and a deep understanding of the soil. In 2000, at just 20 years old, he engaged in winemaking for his first cuvée under his own name, laying the foundation for a personal journey rooted in rigor and intuition.

Very soon, Claus Preisinger joined the Pannobile cooperative, an alliance of Burgenland winemakers committed to promoting their native grape varieties—particularly Blaufränkisch and Zweigelt—through terroir-driven viticulture. In 2006, he began a complete transition to biodynamic farming, convinced that respect for living organisms and soil balance are essential for his wines to express their true character. Since then, the wine estate has been certified by Respekt Biodyn, a prestigious Austro-German label with particularly stringent standards that combines biodynamic principles, scientific observation, and sustainable viticultural practices.

Claus Preisinger’s winemaking practices reflect the same commitment to precision and authenticity that defines his philosophy of natural wine. The harvest is done by hand, with great care taken in selecting the grapes. In the cellar, fermentation occurs spontaneously, without the use of commercial or cultured yeasts. Ageing takes place almost exclusively in amphorae, a choice that allows for gentle, natural micro-oxygenation while preserving the freshness, minerality, and purity of the fruit. Interventions are minimal, with very little or no added sulfites, thereby enhancing the wines’ liveliness and energy. This approach helps create wines of great finesse that are light and vibrant.

True to his roots and the distinctive character of Burgenland, he focuses primarily on local grape varieties: Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt, and Saint Laurent. Pinot Noir, to which he is particularly devoted, finds free expression here. The white wines are no exception: Grüner Veltliner and Weißburgunder ( Pinot Blanc). In this part of Burgenland, where the warm winds of the Pannonian Plain meet the cool breeze of Lake Neusiedl, Claus Preisinger cultivates some thirty plots scattered around Gols and on the hills of the Leithaberg. This patchwork of grape varieties is rooted in a remarkable diversity of soils: quartz and gravel on the plateau, shell limestone on the higher elevations, crumbly schist, and red silt along the lake’s edge. Each vineyard site possesses its own unique character, which Claus strives to reveal without ever homogenizing it. The continental climate, tempered by the lake’s thermal mass, allows for harvesting at perfect ripeness while preserving a vibrant freshness in the wines.

The Claus Preisinger wine estate is now known for a range of flagship cuvées, each of which tells the story of the terroir, the character of the grape varieties, and the commitment of this young winemaker:

• The Zweigelt Kieselstein is conceived as an immediate expression of the Zweigelt grape on a gravelly terroir along the lake’s shore: it offers pure fruit, a silky texture, and remarkable drinkability, true to the natural approach to winemaking.
• The Blaufränkisch Kalkstein embodies Burgenland’s mineral identity and draws its energy from lean, saline limestone plots, where the tannins remain fine and the structure is well-defined.
• The Kalkundkiesel, a complex blend from limestone and gravelly terroirs, represents the most consistent reflection of the soil: a subtle balance between saline tension and juiciness, with an interpretation of the terroir that is entirely free of artifice.
• The Bonzaï, vinified entirely in amphorae, is the quintessence of the wine estate’s philosophy: gentle extraction, well-controlled acidity, light elegance, and lively concentration, without any visible oenological intervention. The Pinot Noir, planted on small, cool plots, takes on a surprisingly pure and delicate character here: vinified as whole clusters with slow fermentations, it reveals restrained red fruit, delicate spice, and a subtle finish.
• The Paradigma, a blend of Blaufränkisch and occasionally Merlot, stands out for its more ambitious structure, dense yet polished tannins, and a slender profile marked by a discreet minerality, reflecting the limestone soils of the Leithaberg.
• Finally, the Erdeluftgrasundreben Blaufränkisch (spelling as written) embodies, through its very name meaning “earth, air, grass, and vines,” the wine estate’s free spirit: a wine without a vintage or capsule, aged with patience, like a living manifesto of natural winemaking and the expressiveness of the terroir.

Claus Preisinger embodies a modern and demanding vision of Austrian winemaking, where tradition and innovation come together to reveal the unique soul of Burgenland. His wines exemplify a rigorous approach to natural winemaking, with aromatic precision, subtle tension, and exceptional organoleptic consistency. All of the cuvées reflect constant progress and a desire for perpetual self-examination. In every bottle, one senses the determination to continually push the boundaries of winemaking precision.