Wine Down Thursday: Down the Danube
March 19, from 6 to 7:30pm
Sampler: $20/person

Join us this Thursday as we taste through three Austrian wines. From the steep, terraced vineyards of the Wachau to the cool, forest-lined hills of the Kamptal, these wines showcase the remarkable diversity of terroir found along the Danube. The lineup includes the crisp, mineral-driven 2023 Mathias Hirtzberger "Stab" Grüner Veltliner Steinfeder, the bright and refreshing 2024 Brunn Blauer Zweigelt Rosé, and the lively multi-vintage Nibiru "Oida!" red. Together, they illustrate the balance that defines Austrian winemaking and the cool continental climate that gives these wines their hallmark freshness, aromatic precision, and lively acidity.

Featured Wines;
2023 Mathias Hirtzberger Grüner Veltliner “Stab” Steinfeder
The 2023 Grüner Veltliner "Stab" Steinfeder from Weinhofmeisterei Mathias Hirtzberger reflects both the heritage of one of the Wachau's most respected wine families and the distinctive terroir of the Danube Valley. Mathias Hirtzberger, the youngest son of renowned Wachau vintner Franz Hirtzberger, established his own estate in 2014 in the village of Wösendorf, building on generations of viticultural tradition while developing a personal style. The Wachau is characterized by steep stone terraces and a complex mosaic of soils. The "Steinfeder" designation refers to the lightest category in the Wachau's traditional quality hierarchy, named after a delicate local grass that grows among the vines. The 2023 "Stab" is a light-bodied white that boasts a pale yellow-green hue hinting at its refreshing nature. On the nose, you'll find a delightful blend of crisp green apple and honeydew melon, accented by subtle hints of meadow herbs. The palate is lively and balanced, with juicy fruit flavors dancing alongside invigorating acidity.

2024 Brunn Blauer Zweigelt Rose
The 2024 Brunn Blauer Zweigelt Rosé is a York favorite. This wine comes from the small family-run Weingut Brunn, located in the village of Engabrunn in Kamptal just north of the Danube. The estate is run by Karl Steinschaden, whose family has been farming it for six generations. Karl emphasizes traditional methods such as hand harvesting, native fermentations, and aging in neutral vessels. Beneath the winery lies a historic subterranean cellar, and the estate even maintains a Renaissance-era basket press dating back to 1564 that originally belonged to the nearby Benedictine Göttweig Abbey. The Kamptal area is known for a mix of loess, gravelly deposits, and calcareous soils layered over ancient crystalline bedrock, contributing to its distinctive character. Made from Austria's signature red variety, Blauer Zweigelt, the 2024 rosé captures lively notes of wild strawberry, citrus, and herbs, framed by crisp acidity and a clean, refreshing finish.

MV Nibiru Oida!
“Oida!” is a welcoming snapshot of what this estate has to offer. Made from 100% Zweigelt, this red blends fruit from the 2021 and 2022 vintages. The grapes are sourced from Hiesberg (25–30-year-old vines on rose quartz soils) and Steinleithen (65-year-old vines on mica schist), both farmed biodynamically. The winery was founded in 2015 by winemaker Josef Schenter and Julia Nather, who farm a small collection of vineyards around the village of Thürneustift, one of the coolest and northernmost parts of the Kamptal. Drawing on Josef’s family farming roots and their shared commitment to organic and biodynamic agriculture, the pair practice regenerative viticulture and encourage biodiversity in the vineyards. The vineyards sit around 400 meters above sea level on rocky terraces. “Oida!” is a medium- to light-bodied wine, super juicy with notes of brambly fruit and bright acidity throughout.