Claus Preisinger

Claus Preisinger
Gols, Burgenland, Austria

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Claus Preisinger makes wine on the shores of Lake Neusiedl, a large endorheic lake that straddles the border of Austria and Hungary. Having made wine as a childhood hobby with his father, Claus gained experience abroad before returning to his homeland to learn from natural wine pioneers Hans and Anita Nittnaus. He started making his own wines in 2000.

The winery is nestled on the outskirts of Gols, a distinctively modern work of architecture that sits comfortably against a backdrop of vineyards and wind turbines. 22 hectares of vines are divided between 64 parcels, scattered across the villages of Weiden, Mönchhof and Gols itself.

This area is part of the Parndorfer Platte, a plain formed during the ice age by deposits from the River Danube, and has a unique microclimate known as Pannonian. Lake Neusiedl and Lake Balaton, the latter home to Barnag wines, are both steppe lakes; large, shallow areas of water with high salinity, wide reed beds and an abundance of flora and fauna. During the long hours of summer sunshine, Lake Neusiedl absorbs the heat of the day, releasing it over the cooler nights. The area is well known for Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch, both indigenous varieties which thrive in these conditions.

In 2004 Claus became part of Pannobile, a group of Austrian winemakers committed to the soil, character and climate of the region, focussing on local grape varieties. He converted to biodynamic farming in 2006, recognising healthy soil as the mainstay of quality, uncompromised wine.

Claus’s wines have become widely known over the years, with trademark minimal labels that reflect the purity and balance he strives for. He is a winemaker who is able to question himself, with a capacity for risk-taking and continual learning that has led to a steady development in the style of his wines.