New start with the best sites in Austria’s Eisenberg

Thanks to a meticulous business plan, Austrian sommelier turned winemaker Uwe Schiefer is now embarking on a new start. With a total of 10 hectares of vineyards, all of which are in the Eisenberg region (Hannersberg, Königsberg, Csaterberg, Szapary and Reihburg), the award-winning 60 year old vintner will continue his winery, with a total production of around 50,000 bottles.

Restart with a fantastic vintage

It has been a turbulent few years for the self-made winemaker, who first encountered premium wine as a sommelier at Vienna's starred restaurant Steirereck before going on to realise his dream of owning his own winery.

A partnership formed 2017 with Bavarian-Styrian investor Hans Kilger ultimately proved to be unsuccessful but there was a silver lining to the ending:

The magnificent 2021 vintage was able to continue maturing in the barrel and has only now been bottled. This exceptional vintage was able to enjoy what is always recommended for Blaufränkisch: maturing for four years before being released onto the market.

“2021 is fantastic – probably the best vintage we have ever produced. The fact that we can now launch it in June is the best thing that could have happened to the wine,” says a delighted Uwe Schiefer. His son Paul, who was born in 2004, is currently completing his training as an oenologist and will then join him at the winery.

The newly founded Schiefer Wein employs eight permanent staff. Uwe Schiefer himself is the cellar master. Sommelier Thomas Fassl remains responsible for distribution and sales.