Forstreiter Winery, located in Hollenburg in the renowned Kremstal wine region of Austria, has been a family-owned estate since 1868. The winery is currently led by Meinhard Forstreiter, who took over along with his wife Isabella in 2001, continuing a lineage of winemakers that includes his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. The estate has expanded significantly under Meinhard’s leadership, growing from 13 to 55 hectares, with a strong commitment to sustainable viticulture, certified as “Sustainable Austria” since 2019.
The winery’s philosophy emphasizes that quality begins in the vineyard. They practice near-natural cultivation, including meticulous thinning and hard work in the vineyards, to nurture top-quality grapes. This quality focus extends to gentle, minimal intervention winemaking, using advanced cellar technology installed in 2016 for controlled fermentation and aging.
Forstreiter is especially known for its Grüner Veltliner wines, which vary from fresh and herbaceous to creamy and complex, alongside elegant Rieslings, Sauvignon Blanc, and reds like Zweigelt and Sankt Laurent. The wines reflect the unique terroir of the Kremstal, with diverse soils and climate influences that contribute to their minerality, spiciness, and depth of fruit. The estate also features historically significant vineyards, such as the Ried Tabor, home to some of Austria’s oldest Grüner Veltliner vines on own roots, producing powerful and age-worthy wines. The winery’s cellar includes some parts over 300 years old, underscoring its deep heritage and connection to place.
