The Winkler-Hermaden winery is located in south-eastern Styria, in the heart of the Styrian volcanic region, just a few kilometres from the Slovenian and Hungarian borders. The winery has been a family business since 1918. Regionality, sustainability and hospitality are the focus of the winery, hotel and restaurant.
Of the 37 hectares of organic vineyards (Ried Kirchleiten, Ried Schlosskogel, Ried Rosenleiten, Ried Winzerkogel), about 25 hectares are located around the Kapfensteiner Kogel and 12 hectares in Klöch and some 15 kilometres to the south (Ried Ölberg, Ried Hochwarth, Ried Grafenstückl). The winemaking is focused on terroir-accentuated, multilayered and mineral wines with a long ripening period. The practice: Selective hand harvesting, gentle processing of the grapes and as little intervention as possible in the subsequent ageing of the wines. The aim is to express the typical character of the soils and varieties in the wines.
The estate has been organically farmed since 2009, and the first certified organic harvest was pressed in 2012. Since 2022, the winery has been committed to organic regenerative agriculture. This involves redressing nutrient imbalances and building up humus and soil life. The vineyards are permanently covered with vegetation, natural pest control is encouraged, and the soil is fertilised with organic compost. The wood from which the small oak barrels are made comes from the family's forest on the Kapfensteiner Kogel.
The castle and the old wine cellars have a long history dating back to the 11th century. Another cellar, the Lange Keller, was renovated between 1996 and 1998. Red wine is now stored in small oak barrels in the 60 metre long, 350 year old vaulted cellar.
