Weingut Dorli Muhr
Carnuntum, Austria.
Available nationwide.
Dorli does not perceive the five-kilometre-long, 300-metre-high, limestone-drenched site in the easternmost Carnuntum as one single entity, but rather as a plethora of unique areas with different altitudes, expositions and soil compositions. A tireless champion of the Carnuntum region and the Spitzerberg slope in particular, Dorli has based her new winery in Prellenkirchen at the foot of the hill, a monument of sorts to the place and the grape (Blaufränkisch) and yet another reinforcement of her unwavering commitment to her place. The Dorli Muhr wines are some of the most exciting, significant and consequential of the Carnuntum region. The signature elegance and character of the Spitzerberg terroir shine brightly in her wines, supported by fine detail and thrilling complexity.
Dorli Muhr established her namesake wine estate back in 2002. She started with a small 0.17-hectare parcel of vines (inherited from her grandmother), in the relatively obscure region of Carnuntum at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. Seeing great potential in the region, in particular the enchanting Spitzerberg hill, she spent the next few years buying up and/or leasing abandoned old plots, replanting and revitalising them with new vines. As an early pioneer of the region, her influence looms large; she converted her 12-hectare estate to organic management in 2015 and enthusiastically encourages her neighbours to do the same. The recognition of Ried Spitzerberg as an Erste Lage in 2019 was, in no small part, due to her all-encompassing efforts for her region.
Carnuntum is a warm and dry wine-growing area, located along the southern banks of the Danube River in the eastern reaches of Austria, southeast of Vienna. The rolling hills of the region enjoy slightly warmer temperatures than are usually associated with Austria; high sunshine hours and warm easterly breezes are moderated by the Danube influence, providing ideal ripening conditions for the fruit. The Spitzerberg hill in particular is quite an extraordinary site with steep slopes and rich limestone soils. It is subdivided into nine component sites, all of which display widely varied characteristics. From east to west, the soils become consistently more finely grained, and the difference in flavour in the resulting wines is quite impressive.
Wine
Prellenkirchen
Variety
90% Gruner Veltliner 10% Riesling
Terroir
Granite, fossil limestone, schist and decomposed limestone
Vineyard
Spitzerburg
Viticulture
Organic
Winemaking
Gentle pressing followed by wild fermentation. Maturation in old wooden vats for 15 months before bottling.
Rosé
Variety
Cabernet Franc, Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch
Terroir
Granite, fossilised limestone, schist and decomposed limestone, mostly on the lower plains.
Vineyard
From several parcels across the Carnuntum region
Viticulture
Organic
Winemaking
The fruit was pressed and co-fermented wild in stainless steel tanks.
Carnuntum
Variety
Blaufränkisch (60%) and Syrah (40%).
Terroir
Granite, fossil limestone, schist and decomposed limestone, mostly on the lower plains.
Vineyard
From several parcels across the Carnuntum region
Viticulture
Organic
Winemaking
The fruit is fermented wild and macerated in large wooden vessels, followed by a two-year élevage and just one racking.
Prellenkirchen Samt & Seide
Variety
Blaufränkisch
Terroir
Granite, fossilised limestone, schist and decomposed limestone
Vineyard
20 parcels on the southern slope of the Spitzerberg hill in the blocks of Spitzer, Roterd, Panhölzer, Holzweingärten and Kranzen
Viticulture
Organic
Winemaking
Fruit is macerated and fermented wild in small open-top vats with a small stem component and only gentle foot stomping. Maturation takes place in 1000L and 3000L old wood for 20 months. The wine is only racked once before being bottled unfiltered.
Ried Kirchweingarten 1ÖTW Höflein
Variety
Blaufränkisch
Terroir
12 kilometres west of Prellenkirchen, limestone with some layers of clay and loess.
Vineyard
Kirchweingarten 1ÖTW Höflein
Viticulture
Organic
Winemaking
The fruit is fermented wild and macerated in large wooden vessels with no temperature control. Élevage is for 20 months and the wine is racked once before being bottled without filtration.
Ried Spitzerberg 1ÖTW Obere Roterd
Variety
Blaufränkisch
Terroir
On the western slope of the hill at an altitude between 210 and 240 metres. The soil is rich in limestone with sandy topsoils and stones and boulders scattered throughout.
Vineyard
Spitzerberg 1ÖTW Obere Roterd
Viticulture
Organic
Winemaking
The vines were planted between 1965 and 2004. Fruit is fermented wild and macerated in large wooden vessels, followed by a 20-month élevage and just one racking.
Ried Spitzerberg 1ÖTW Kobeln Liebkind
Variety
Blaufränkisch
Terroir
Ried Kobeln is the highest-elevation plot on the Spitzerberg hill, the soil is rich in limestone with very thin sandy topsoils and windy exposure.
Vineyard
Spitzerberg 1ÖTW Kobeln Liebkind
Viticulture
Organic
Winemaking
The fruit is fermented wild and macerated in large wooden vessels, followed by a 20-month élevage and just one racking.
Ried Spitzerberg 1ÖTW Obere Spitzer
Variety
Blaufränkisch
Terroir
On the steepest part of the extreme western slope at an altitude of 210 metres where the soils are quite sandy and dry.
Vineyard
Spitzerberg 1ÖTW Obere Spitzer
Viticulture
Organic
Winemaking
The fruit is lightly crushed, macerated and fermented wild in small open-top vats with a small stem component and only gentle foot stomping. Maturation takes place in 600L old wood for 30 months before the wine is bottled unfiltered.
Orders
For all order enquiries please get in touch.