Schwarz Johann (Andau)

The winery is located in the municipality of Andau in the Burgenland wine-growing region of Neusiedlersee (Austria). The vineyards cover 12 hectares in the Andau vineyards on the Hungarian border, most of which are planted with the Grüner Veltliner, Chardonnay and Zweigelt varieties. For years, the master butcher produced grapes under the guidance of the sweet wine guru Alois Kracher (1959-2007), who then processed them. Since 1999, they have been producing their own wines under the "Schwarz" label. The concept slogan "With friendly help of Mr. K" refers to the support of the "two Ks" Alois Kracher and Manfred Krankl, who comes from Austria and runs the garage winery "Sine qua non" in California. Krankl contributes the oenological-technical know-how. The objective was the highest quality without fixation on down-to-earth tradition. In the vineyard, there is extreme thinning out to 6 to a maximum of 10 grapes per vine. The wine is vinified by Schwarz in his cellar. There are only three products, the "Schwarz Weiß" (90% Chardonnay, Grüner Veltliner), "Schwarz Rot" (Zweigelt) and since the 2004 vintage the straw wine "Schwarz Schwarz" made from Zweigelt. For the latter, the grapes are harvested when ripe and dried on wire frames All three wines are aged in barriques. The rosé "The Butcher" is no longer produced. About 50% of the production is exported.