One of the most respected winemaking families, not only in Austria but in the world, the Knolls have practiced viticulture in the Wachau for generations, with their first estate bottles being filled in the 1950s. The estate and cellars are currently run by the erudite and highly skilled Emmerich Knoll. Weingut Knoll's classic labels, featuring a baroque motif of St. Urban of the winemakers, are certainly among the most iconic in the wine world.  

Emmerich and his team cultivate 15 hectares of land in Austria's most prolific terroir, the Wachau. The family vineyards are in and around the village of Loiben, where the vines are planted to stone-terraced sites of gneiss or granite layered with glacial sediment along the northern banks of the Danube River. The winery's cellar work is done traditionally, with very large and old oak casks used for maturation, resulting in wines that age gracefully over time. 

Loibner means it is from the village of Loiben, in the main area of Knoll's vineyards. Federspiel is made from grapes harvested at prime ripeness, producing wines with an alcohol level between 11.5-12.5% alcohol. The 2024 vintage is one of the best in recent decades, critically acclaimed and raved about by winemakers throughout Austria.

Knoll's Federspiel Riesling is bone dry, but packed with flavor delivered with precision and depth. This is a high energy wine with layers of crunchy green apple and stony lemon, no petrol here and no excessive fruit character. The acidity is nervy and structured, as anyone would except from this great producer. Drinking well now, but also has the potential to age and develop for many years. 

Pairing: Roast pork loin with apples

Grape: Riesling

Soil: Loess- glacial, wind blown, fertile, calcareous sediment

Viticulture: Sustainable