Winzer Familie Gregor Schup Riedenweine Merlot, 2015, Thermenregion, Austria

This Merlot is a rare monopole wine from the Guntramsdorfer Eichkogel, a site that delivers exceptional ripeness and concentration. Ageing in barrique deepens its character, layering dark fruit with tobacco and chocolate notes. Produced in small quantities by Gregor and Eva Schup, it’s a powerful yet precise expression of Austrian Merlot, available only in limited release.

Deep in the heart of the Austrian Wienerwald, in the little town of Guntramsdorf, lies Winzer Familie Gregor Schup. For over 300 years they’ve lived here, where Eastern-European climate meets warm and damp Atlantic air, learning to cultivate quality fruits from vines grown close to The Eichkogel mountain (just 367m above sea level). The Eichkogel is a UNESCO recognised biosphere, so the conservation and sustainability of its land and ecosystem are lawfully protected. It’s fair to say, optimising berries for exquisite wine has become almost a sixth sense to them today. They truly are perfectionists of nature. What their land yields is respected, and what‘s respected reaps big rewards. It is undoubtedly the Schup family’s respect and expertise, that makes their wines so palpably unique.