Heidi Schröck took over her family winery in 1983, in the historic village of Rust in Austria’s southern Burgenland region near the steppe lake of Neusiedl. She is now joined by her twin sons, Johannes and Georg, who, like their mother, continue to produce classic Ruster wines, while experimenting with other varieties and winemaking styles on the side. 

Heidi was awarded “Falstaff Vintner of the Year” in 2003, making her one of only a handful of women to obtain this distinction. Heidi is the long-time leader of Cercle Ruster Ausbruch, an organization whose goal is to bring back Ausbruch, a sweet wine reminiscent of Hungary’s Royal Tokaji that had not existed since the phylloxera outbreak in the 19th century. Ausbruch is harvested from botrytized grapes (just like the famed French dessert wines of Sauternes that cost 5-10 times as much) and Heidi’s wine is one of Rust’s iconic examples of this noble sweet wine. 

"On the Wings of Dawn" is their top level Ruster Ausbruch, produced from only perfectly botrytised grapes from their best vineyards, and only in the best years. Expect intense aromas of juicy ripe yellow peaches and dried apricots, with that characteristic botrytis nose of mineralized spice, and an excellent balance of acidity and luscious sweetness that rivals any other dessert wine in the world. 

Pairing: Apricot tartine, Cabbage and sausage stew

Grape: Furmint and Welschriesling, from Ried Turner, Ried Greiner & Ried Kraxner

Soil: Ruster Schotter, a gravelly sandy loam with bits of mica slate and limestone

Viticulture: Practicing organic