About the Wine

Emmerich Knoll III, an exuberant spokesperson for the Wachau region, farms the family’s 15 hectares of land and crafts wines that clearly express the Unterloiben terroir where some of Austria’s most famous vineyards can be found. This family-run winery is a treasure that has been estate owned and operated for over three generations.  The majority of the Knoll’s vineyard plantings are dedicated to Gruner Veltliner and Riesling, but the family also farms small amounts of Rivaner, Gelber Traminer, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. 

A member of “Vinea Wachau Nobilis Districtus,” an association of Wachau winemakers who follow strict quality control rules, the Knoll Winery upholds stringent farming and winemaking standards that vintage after vintage propels their wines to the top of restaurant, collector, and critic’s lists. Knoll wines are easily recognized by their distinct label that depicts an ornate image of St. Urban, the patron saint of winemakers and vineyards. While in the Wachau, one can also dine at the family’s acclaimed, 400-year-old restaurant, Loibnerhof Familie Knoll.

The flagship grape of Austria, Grüner Veltliner is a natural cross of Traminer and St. Georgen. Grüner accounts for almost 30% of all grapes planted with around 13,500 hectares under vine in the country. The Austrian native has become an international sensation among sommeliers worldwide as the perfect food wine due to its high acidity. In Austria, it is prized for the easy-drinking wine it produces but can also wow the palate with complexity in the right winemaker’s hands. The typical flavor profile is often described as displaying elements of green apple with an unmistakable white pepper spiciness.

With a rich history and favorable climate, the Wachau is known as one of the greatest terriors in Austria. Although the region is less than 15 miles long, the unique landscape and vineyards make it renowned. Located a short hour’s drive northwest of Vienna the Wachau is famous for the unique steep stone terraced vineyards rising up on the Northside or “left bank” of the Danube River, as it flows West to East.

The deep löss soils of the Kreutles vineyard were deposited by ancient winds, which dropped glacially-eroded gneiss into the Wachau. The calcareous soil provides an ideal home for the expressive Grüner Veltliner, and Knoll coaxes a rich, balanced wine from the terroir of Kreutles, garnering the Vinea Wachau’s “Smaragd” designation, which is reserved for only the finest wines of the region.

Tasting Notes: 100% Grüner Veltliner. See Critical Reviews for detailed tasting notes.

Reviews

A first whiff of honeyed blossom sets a tone of generous ripeness. The palate, though toned, also depicts a rounded picture of ripe, juicy fruit, framed by a lovely, yeasty texure and citrus. There is drive and energy and a whole lot of power that needs to unfold. Drink 2025–2040 ~94 Wine Enthusiast

This is very tight and layered with an intense palate of dried peaches, light apricots, and citrus. Full-bodied. Yet, all is tight and reserved. Drink or hold. ~93 James Suckling

Medium yellow-green, silver reflections. Fine herbal spice underlaid yellow apple fruit, delicate papaya, inviting bouquet. Taut, yellow tropical fruit, fine, dark spice, integrated acidity, long, already nicely gluggable. ~93 Falstaff

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