MICHAEL WENZEL

Michael Wenzel’s vineyards are located in Rust, on the western shore of Lake Neusiedl, a few kilometres from the Hungarian border. He is the twelfth generation of winemakers in the family and knew from a very young age that he wanted to continue this tradition. Upon completing his oenology studies, he began to work on his vineyard in a conventional way, but soon realized that he did not need so many additives and technology to ensure a good wine. Having come to this realization, he decided, inspired by the work of his grandfather, to take a more traditional, natural approach. From his point of view, natural wine does not mean that nothing needs to be done, but that it is important to minimize man’s influence in natural processes and ensure the emergence of sincere wines without any flaws. This, he claims, is due to indigenous yeasts that transmit information from the vineyard and the minimal use of sulphites, which allows this expression to remain alive. Michael and his father have played an important role in re-establishing the Furmint (Pušipel or Mainak) variety in the region and have been working with it for over 40 years. Throughout this time, the family has become acquainted with the potential of this variety and discovered its character through various vinifications. Wenzel’s wines burst with minerality, freshness, and playfulness.