Gassner - 'Reserve' - Blaufränkisch - Rusterberg, Burgenland, AT - 2017

The Gassner's Blaufrankisch grows in the unique soil of the Rusterberg, weathered soil over slate and granite primary rock. This rock formation, called Ruster Schotter, contains many minerals and quartz and gives this wine it's signature elegance. They then hand pick their pristine Blaufrankisch berries then ferment them with native yeasts and age them in large used Austrian barrels for 28 months. The resulting wine is a prime example of how refined Blaufrankisch can be. Dark, intensive purple color, very delicate, aromas of forest floor, vine ripe berries and a hint of spiciness.

Until 2015, Robert and Marianne Gassner only made wine for themselves and their family from their 3 hectares of older vines at their 16th century winery in Rust on the shore of Lake Neusiedl. Since the winery inception everything has been done by hand utilizing biodynamic preparations with an emphasis not only on health but climate awareness. In this vintage the same care was used but it was not yet Demeter certified.

Exposing what has always been here – making the invisible visible – that is what drives Marianne and Robert Gassner.
Wines that are profoundly influenced by the natural environment grow and emerge through this philosophy, embodying the past as well as the future.
They are created with intensive manual labour – biodynamically, in the cycle of nature.
Just like the soil from which they grew.
Nothing more and nothing less.
Pure.