The Schreiner story is a parable about following your heart. Gernot had a computer science degree and a tech career ahead of him. Victoria was a social worker. Love intervened—first for each other, then for wine, then for a radically holistic way of life that makes other organic producers look like apostates.
In 2007, they took over Gernot's uncle's 6-hectare estate in Rust, a UNESCO World Heritage town on Lake Neusiedl's shores. The property had been in the family for over a century, complete with a 400-year-old house where five families once lived and Gernot's grandmother raised livestock until the 1980s. The cellars are even older—vaulted stone chambers that have protected wine through countless wars and winters.
The young Schreiners immediately converted everything to organic farming, then went far beyond certification requirements. They plant trees and shrubs between vine rows, creating habitat for beneficial insects. Victoria is an ornithologist, documenting the biodiversity their farming creates. They sow flowers and grains from local organic farmers between the vines. They even chose the elongated springtail—an ancient arthropod more primitive than an insect—so crucial to soil health, as their label mascot.
It’s got to be why their wines, and especially this Blaufrankisch, is so utterly delicious for the money. It’s incredibly natural and made by a loving young family, so easy to root for.
WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT
Flabbergasting QPR: This drinks like premium Austrian Blaufränkisch that should cost $50 or more. Instead it's $32 for a LITER. That's less than most people pay for industrial Pinot Noir.
Über-Organic: When certified organic isn't pure enough for your standards, you know you're dealing with true believers. Every decision—from planting trees to choosing label art—reflects their holistic, regenerative philosophy.
Silk and Iron: Classic Burgenland Blaufränkisch delivers this magical combination—silky texture with an iron-mineral core. At 12.7% alcohol, it's refreshing while still being serious. Cru Beaujolais meets Austrian terroir.
The Screw-Top Liberation: They put spectacular wine in a humble package because they care more about what's inside. No pretense, no ceremony—just open and pour world-class wine.
HOW TO SERVE IT
Serve at 55-60°F. The low alcohol and bright acidity mean you can go slightly cooler than typical reds. This is elevated party wine.
Drink now through 2028. While it's singing today with its crunchy berry fruit and mineral precision, Blaufränkisch from sites this good only gets more interesting with time.
Perfect with charcuterie and grilled fish—the wine's elegance and moderate alcohol make it incredibly versatile. Delightful slightly chilled on a warm day. Wines like this—so natural, low-alcohol, and honest—somehow defy both inebriety and hangovers.
