Hoch Christoph

Travelling along the Danube river, which for years has shaped and moulded the morphological appearance of no less than 10 European states, one encounters a wealth of breathtaking landscapes. Among these is the beauty and richness of the Austrian lands that are bathed by this great river. Between the final sub-areas of the Kamptal and Wachau in Lower Austria (which is called Lower but is the most northerly) lies the small and charming area of Kremstal. Here, specifically in Hollenburg, right on the banks of the Danube, the Hoch family has lived since 1640. They have been professional merchants and winemakers for centuries, and are a historic "house" in the area, with their own distinctive coat of arms featured on every label. Since 2013, the winery has been managed by Christoph Hoch, who enjoys the support of his family. A rising young talent in the area, who in recent years has travelled between Austria and Italy learning all the secrets of the trade, Christoph decided to take the reins of the winery, renaming it after himself and adopting a purely biodynamic approach. The estate consists of just over 5 hectares, which are cultivated with great sensitivity using local Riesling and Veltliner grapes. His relentless research into the terroir and microclimate, together with the use of traditional methods inherited from his ancestors, have earned him the Demeter certification and allowed him to produce typical and pure expressions that rediscover the potential of the prestigious Hollenburg area.

The Hoch vineyards climb to an altitude of between 210 and 350 metres above sea level and are surrounded to the west by the wild Dunkelstein forests. The cold Atlantic breezes mingle with the warm southerly winds and caress the vines all year round, encouraging the fruit to ripen. The unique terrain consists of pebbles and the Hollenburg conglomerate rock from river sediments. The soils are calcareous and alkaline, which provides the wines with acidity, delicacy and finesse. In the cellar, spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts takes place in large oak barrels, where the wine rests for months.

Hoch's wines are true territorial treasures that express themselves without any sort of filter. There are two beautiful white wines based on Riesling and Veltliner grapes as well as a sparkling wine made from a lengthy blend of vintages. They are characterised by a mineral, vibrant and delicate profile, in which purity and freshness dominate the sip, while the spiced and fruity varietal notes of Veltiliner and Riesling are perfectly expressed in every label. Therefore, tasting the wines of Hoch is a way of experiencing a hidden corner of Austria.