Martin Muthenthaler 'Alte Garten' Grüner Veltliner 2019

Martin Muthenthaler’s vocation in life was a truck driver, until winemaking started calling his name. His parents passed on their small, ideally-situated Wachau vineyard to him when they retired, and the rest was history.

The Muthenthaler family’s vineyards have been worked completely organically since 2010, and soil health is of top priority at the domaine. Martin spent a lot of time training with his friend Peter Veyder-Malberg, a winemaker of huge repute in the Wachau region, especially for his farming.

Winemaking at Muthenthaler is a practice in balance and restraint. Only wild yeasts are used fermentation, and neutral oak or stainless steel for winemaking vessels. 

This Alte Gärten Grüner Veltliner is a pure and laserlike expression of the grape. What makes Grüner fascinating is its unapologetic savory-ness. Where other wines go tropical and fruity, Grüner goes vegetal and earthy. Notes of fresh black-eyed peas, rutabaga, white peach and white pepper hit at different times, but the overall impression is clean and refreshing.