Love on the Rocks
Personality Profile: Hannes Hirsch
On every adventure tour we take you behind stage for a candid interview with a young professional working in the Austrian wine industry::
Hannes Hirsch is an award-winning winemaker in the Kamptal district of Niederösterreich (Lower Austria). Johannes received his education in viticulture and enology at Klosterneuburg, the oldest school for winemakers in Austria. He gained work experience in New Zealand, California, Australia, and South Africa before joining his father in their family winery that has specialized in Riesling and Grüner Veltliner from the famous Heiligenstein and Gaisberg vineyards.
What is the most exciting thing about the Austrian wine branch?
International demands for Austrian wines are exploding. People are discovering Grüner Veltliner as a real all-rounder; a talented wine with food and a wine with appeal to novices and connoisseurs alike. The Austrian-style Riesling is dry, fruity, monumental, and minerally --- exactly what demanding consumers are looking for in a modern white wine.
What to you love most about the Kamptal?
After traveling extensively, I still find the Kamptal landscape the most beautiful in the world. We've got an old stone hut in our Riesling vineyard on the Heiligenstein Mountain. It's a peaceful, romantic place to enjoy lunch with a view after a morning's work among the vines.
What do you enjoy most in your work?
It is certainly never boring! Just when I get finished with a job in the vineyard, its time to head into the cellar; my job is very multi-facetted and I am always learning something new. I'd like to say I enjoy being my own boss and setting my own hours, but the weather never takes weekends off and there are times it doesn't let me either.
If you had to take one wine to each of following, what would it be and why?
A Rendezvous?
I would take a light, fresh Riesling to enjoy in the sunshine because it would encourage fun conversation.
Dinner with very good friends?
A nicely matured, full-bodied Grüner Veltliner because it would go with nearly any food and it is appropriate for every occasion.
An isolated desert island?
A light Grüner Veltliner would help me survive the heat and the sun and because it is so popular, I wouldn't be alone for long!
[2]
- Love on the Rocks: Intro
- GV Country
- Riesling and GV
- Districtus Austria Controllatus
- Personality Profile: Hannes Hirsch
- Quiz
Hannes is pictured here with his father touching, squeezing, and tasting Riesling grapes: "the only really reliable way to determine ripeness".
