Weingut Stadt Krems Riesling, Kremstal, Austria

Ripe peach, white stone fruit and floral honey meet lemon, grapefruit and a cool mineral edge in 2024 Weingut Stadt Krems Riesling, a dry and finely structured expression from Kremstal's steep stone terraces. The warm 2024 summer brought generous fruit, while cooler September conditions helped preserve the wine's lively acidity and tension. Stony, limestone-influenced vineyard soils contribute definition and mineral character, while five months in stainless steel preserve the purity of the fruit. It is a precise, energetic Riesling from one of Austria's historic municipal estates, guided today by winemakers Fritz Miesbauer and Peter Rethaller.

Product Details:

• Winemakers: Fritz Miesbauer and Peter Rethaller
• Grape Variety: 100% Riesling
• Vineyards: Steep, stony terraced vineyards, with a significant portion sourced from Ried Grillenparz
• Soils: Extremely rocky, limestone-influenced soils
• Farming: Sustainable Austria certified
• Aging: 5 months in stainless steel
• Residual Sugar: 4.5 g/L
• Acidity: 7.2 g/L
• Alcohol: 12.5%
• Closure: Screwcap
• Additional: Vegan

Sensory Description:

Ripe peach and white stone fruit lead the aromatic profile, joined by floral honey and subtle melon before brighter notes of lemon, grapefruit and yellow apple emerge. The palate balances the generosity of the warm vintage with crisp, playful acidity, creating a fresh counterpoint to the ripe fruit. A pronounced stony, limestone-driven mineral character provides tension and definition through the middle of the palate, carrying into a clean, cool and persistent finish. Already expressive, the combination of fruit concentration, acidity and mineral structure also gives the wine meaningful potential for further development.

Awards & Accolades:

• 91 Points: Falstaff, Peter Moser, 2025
• 87 Points: Wine Enthusiast, Aleks Zecevic, December 2025

Winemaker's Background:

Weingut Stadt Krems is unusual among European estates because it is owned by the City of Krems itself, with a viticultural history tied directly to the civic life of the city. Its origins reach back to vineyards associated with the public hospital founded in Krems in 1210, while additional vineyard holdings donated to the city in 1452 established the foundation of the present estate. The winery's cellars eventually moved into the historic city ramparts in 1915, where its production facilities remain today. Fritz Miesbauer took leadership of the estate in 2003 and initiated extensive improvements in both the vineyards and cellar, helping establish Stadt Krems as a leading source of Riesling and Grüner Veltliner. Named Falstaff Winemaker of the Year in 2020, Miesbauer works alongside Peter Rethaller, with the two identified as the estate's current winemakers and cellar masters. The winery's vineyards lie within the boundaries of Krems and Stein and include historic sites such as Grillenparz, Schreck, Wachtberg and Weinzierlberg, where limestone-rich conglomerate, gneiss, amphibolite, gravel and loess create markedly different expressions. As a member of Österreichische Traditionsweingüter and a Sustainable Austria certified producer, Stadt Krems combines its centuries-old municipal heritage with precise, restrained winemaking intended to preserve the individual character of its vineyards.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve well chilled at approximately 46-50°F in a Riesling or medium-sized white wine glass. Its citrus-driven freshness, mineral tension and cleansing acidity make it particularly well suited to seafood, including simply prepared fish, shellfish and other dishes where the wine can provide the same brightening effect as fresh citrus. It also has the structure and acidity to accompany vegetables and richer pork or sausage dishes, while its peach and floral character makes it equally compelling on its own.