Matthias Hager is a winemaker whose eponymous winery is in the Kamptal region of Austria. Hager learnt about wine by working with Franz Hirtzberger in Spitz and Ernst Triebaumer in Rust.

Vineyards: 2018 12.5 hectares (40 acres) in several diverse blocks. 

Vineyard Sites: Hiessberg In Mollands. One of the highest vineyard sites in Kamptal. 400 metres (1,312 feet). South-facing. Cool winds. Metamorphic deposits over primary rock. Vines struggle to put down deep roots. | Schontal | In Mollands. 300 metres (984 feet). South-facing, gentle slopes. Thick layer of loess and clay, ideal for Gruner Veltliner, being mineral-rich and moisture-retentive. Means Gruner Veltliner can root deeply, and ripen slowly to develop its classic pepper and spice notes in wines with an acidic backbone. | Seeberg: In Mollands. 300 metres (984 feet). South-facing. Gets cool air influences from the streams of the Waldviertel to the north. Warm days, cool nights allow slow ripening. Soils are sand and clay with occasional slate. Ideal for Riesling.

White grapes: Weißburgunder (Pinot Blanc), Sauvignon Blanc, Rivaner (Müller-Thurgau), Riesling, Grüner Veltliner, Gelber Muskateller, Frühroter Veltliner (Malvasier).

Red grapes: Blauburgunder (Pinot Noir), Blauburger, (Blauer) Zweigelt.

Polyculture: 4 hectares (9.9 acres) of arable crops. 5 hectares (12.35 acres) of forest.

Biodynamic ertification: 2010 First vintage with full Demeter Biodynamic certification. / 2016 Still Demeter certified.

SPARKLING WINES

PET NAT | 2017 Grüner Veltiner. 11.5% alcohol. Vibrant, fluid green fruit at the Demeter Austria tasting 2018.

SEKT TRAUBE PUR | Sparkling wine made from Blauer Zweigelt vinified as a white.

WHITE WINE BLENDS

GEMISCHTER SATZ | Field blend.

WHITE WINE SINGLE VARIETAL

GRÜNER VELTLINER ALTE REBEN

GRÜNER VELTLINER MOLLANDS

GRÜNER VELTLINER MOLLANDSER BERG

GRÜNER VELTLINER SEEBERG

GRÜNER VELTLINER URGESTEIN NATURAL | From vines on Urgestein, primary rock, schist, mica schist. / 2016 Fermented in steel and oak. 10% fermented on skins. Very individual at the Demeter Austria tasting 2018.

GRÜNER VELTLINER VIELFALT

GRÜNER VELTLINER VOGEL VALT

RIESLING ALTE REBEN

RIESLING AUSLESE

RIESLING PUR

RIESLING TERRASSEN

RED WINES

BLAUBURGER PUR | Pur = no added sulfites. Unfiltered. / 2012 13% alcohol. Lovely blue-fruited tannins with slight oxidation at the Demeter Austria tasting, Vienna 26th February 2018.

CONTACT

Weingut Matthias Hager, Weinstrasse 45, A-3562 Mollands / +43 (0)2733 8283 / wein [at] hagermatthias.at / www.hagermatthias.at

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Demeter Austria tasting 2018, Vienna 26th February.