Not far from Zagreb, in the south of Austria, lies Styria—a winegrowing region that is recognized throughout the world for the production of high-quality and characterful natural wines. One of the pioneers of bio-dynamic agriculture and a natural approach to cellar management from that area is Andreas Tscheppe, who left the family vineyard in 2006 and started his own winery on the picturesque hills of southern Styria with his wife Elisabeth. Their vineyards are rich in greenery, flowers, wild plants, and various insects, such as butterflies, stag beetles, and dragonflies. And these are the motifs that adorn Tscheppe’s wine labels. Tscheppe grows only white varieties—Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Yellow Muscat—which are exclusively fermented on indigenous yeasts and then aged in neutral barrels for 18 – 24 months. They are defined by a wonderful minerality and energy, which is due to a specific terroir and the winemaker’s gentle hand.
Winemaker: Andreas Tscheppe
Region: Styria, Austria
Varieties: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Yellow Muscat
Vineyard size: 5 ha
Annual production: 15,000 bottles
Altitude: 400-550 meters
Soil: limestone, opok
Farming: biodynamic
Schmecke das Leben
“Schmecke das Leben”, meaning “Taste Life”, is an association founded by five Styrian wineries—Tscheppe, Werlitsch, Muster, Tauss, and Strohmeier—at the beginning of the 21st century. They were brought together by the values they share regarding the importance of respecting nature, as well as the idea of sustainable and biodynamic agriculture. Through the community, they shared experiences, learned from, and supported each other, thus laying the foundations of natural winemaking in Central Europe. Today, their wines are recognized and appreciated around the world and adorn numerous wine lists of top restaurants and wine bars.
