Alcohol: 12%
Grape(s): Grüner Veltliner
Localization: Kamptal, Austria
Tasting Notes: Packed with all the citrus – lime, lemon, grapefruit – plus hints of white pepper, intense minerality, and Gruner’s signature acid that literally pops, this wine tastes like bone-dry 7up filtered over rocks in an alpine stream.
Notes: Practicing organic farming; Loess and Gley soils, natural yeasts, unfiltered, fermented in 85% stainless steel and 15% neutral barrels, aged for 8 months.
Food pairing: A jug of happy juice, for parties, picnics, and other shareable moments.
The Domain: Martin Arndorfer comes from a long line of winemakers, and he grew up in the vineyards and cellar of his parent’s estate. Anna Steininger is the daughter of Karl Steininger, one of the most respected winemakers in Austria. They are a wine-power couple. Both were born with a genetic love and a nurtured appreciation for Riesling and Grüner Veltliner grapes.
Martin tried to play sick from Kindergarten because he preferred to stay in the vineyard with his mother. At the age of 12 he truly fell in love with winemaking. Anna started even younger. She was basically “born in the cellar” and had been helping the family vineyards since she could walk.
After attending an established Austrian school, which had been developing the countries greatest winemakers since 1860, Martin headed off to Italy to get some practicum. Martin developed much of his inspiration while studying with Serena Palazzo at Ronco del Gnemiz and Fabrizio Iuli (yes, that Fabrizio Ilui!). From Serna, he developed an appreciation for full-bodied white wines matured in small oak barrels, and from Fabrizio, he learned how to make “complex and straight-forward” red wines. These two wineries sparked his passion for thrilling red, ambitious wines and barriques. He also found lifelong friends in Italy (and would eventually find Indie through Fabrizio).
Thanks to Anna’s gentle persuasion, Martin went on to study “International Wine Management” at the University of Austria. He’s gone on to seek a Master’s Degree from the same program. When Martin returned from Italy, he and Anna moved in together. They united their love and their passion for wine under one roof. They started the “Arndorfer” label, with M & A on the label, which of course stands for Martin and Anna.
