Hareter, Neusiedlersee

It seems to be the fourth generation of the Hareter family to devote itself intensively to winegrowing. Thomas is not entirely sure Hareter, who took over the winery from his parents in 2011, does not. When the estate, located in the small Burgenland village of Weiden am See, converted to organic farming in 2009, Darwin provided its guiding principle: anything contrary to nature cannot endure. Put another way, for Thomas and his wife Claudia this means working with nature to create products that last. Many people aspire to create something lasting. We want to see this goal realised in our wines. ‘We try to enable every wine to fulfil its greatest possible ageing potential. The delicacy that distinguishes our wines, the structure that supports them and the balance that makes them harmonious should still be perceptible years later,’ explains Thomas Hareter.

The main varieties grown are local grapes such as Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch, alongside Pinot Blanc, Welschriesling and Chardonnay. The vineyards lie mainly above the village, on and above the Wagram, a ridge that was once a seashore. The vines benefit from the special lake climate, although the soils are not sandy but stony, mostly even a mixture of loam and gravel. The wines ferment spontaneously, preserving the characteristic expression of fruit and soil. For Thomas, it is simple: he brings the grape into the glass!