Location and Vineyards
The winery Franz Hirtzberger is located in Spitz in the wine-growing region Wachau in Austria. Around Spitz, the winery cultivates about 20 hectares of vineyard terraces, including the sites Singerriedel, Honivogl, Rotes Tor, Hochrain, Axpoint, Pluris and Steinporz. The vineyards include south-facing areas; the sites Honivogl, Singerriedel, Rotes Tor and Hochrain are characterised by primary rock soils.
Grape Varieties and Wines
Riesling and Grüner Veltliner are the most important grape varieties and each account for about 40 percent of total production. The range also includes Weißburgunder, Chardonnay, Grauburgunder and Muskateller. Riesling is produced, among others, from the sites Singerriedel and Hochrain, and Grüner Veltliner from Honivogl. The wines are offered in the styles Steinfeder, Federspiel and Smaragd.
Farming Practices and Cellar
The winery describes work in the vineyards as natural, or rather little altered, and oriented to the geological and climatic characteristics of the terraces. Even the work in the cellar is characterised by minimal intervention.
Family History
The winery has been managed by the Hirtzberger family for five generations on a harvest farm that has existed since the 13th century. Franz Hirtzberger took over responsibility in 1983 for the estate, which covers around 20 hectares. The older Franz Hirtzberger recognised single-vineyard terraces and was a co-founder of Vinea Wachau.