Martin Arndorfer

“Wine reflects life; it connects people and encourages them to come together.”

Martin Arndorfer
Farmer & Winemaker
Strassertal, Austria

Martin Arndorfer is a dreamer with the heart and skill to deliver some of the finest wines you will ever taste. He seamlessly combines youthful exuberance with the seasoned skill of an experienced winemaker— quite a reputation for a 24 year old. Coming from a long line of Austrian wine-makers, he aims to enhance the potential of the wines in the Kamptal Valley and Strass region with his own contribution. Lucky for us, he has already made great strides. Martin strives to create authentic wines, reflecting his personality. “Wine to me is a science, which is not yet fully investigated and can never be perfected.”

Growing up in a winemaking family prepared him to buy his first vineyard at 21, against the advice of his family. An historic vineyard in the Kamptal region was for sale because the owner was retiring. The “problems” with the vineyard were numerous— low yield due to fifty year old vines, several varieties planted all together, steep terraces, and vines grown too close together for machines to be used. In fact, his grandfather told Martin that he would never help in the vineyard. To Martin, all of these “problems” were advantages- he wanted to make wine in the traditional way that many people were abandoning. He decided to cultivate his vines by hand without the use of synthetic chemicals, allowing the low yielding vines to generate more flavorful grapes.

He won over the experts in his family – farmers who really know wine. Martin bought the vineyard and immediately went to work. He spent hours in the vineyard caring for the vines, nurturing even the grasses and flowers that grow between the rows to ensure a healthy ecosystem. After many long, hard hours, Martin made his wine from the terraces in 2004 each vintage, the Von den Terrassen wine is part of the Farmstead Wines collection. When his family tasted what was possible, they were impressed. Even the work in the vineyard has gotten a little easier now, because every time Martin’s grandfather sees him in the terraces, he comes by to see how things are going and to lend a hand.

the farmstead wines collection

Martin Arndorfer 2004 Anna Die Leidenschaft
Chardonnay, Gruner Veltliner, Savignon Blanc. Buttery, rich, slightly spicy finish with excellent acidity. Only produced in even years, with one third of the production in magnums. Sarah and Nina’s favorite.

Martin Arndorfer 2005 ChNb Die Leidenschaft
Chardonnay and native varietal Neuberger. Toasty with hazelnuts and bright acidity. Super harmonic and a lengthy finish.

Martin Arndorfer 2005 Riesling Die Leidenschaft
Fruity and floral notes, but not fruit driven. Minerality and earthy tones carry the day. Did I mention it’s a little spicy too? (50% oak/ 50% stainless)

Martin Arndorfer 2005 Gruner Veltliner Die Leidenschaft
Fermented and aged in second and third filling oak for ten months. Burgundian character but the Gruner shows very clearly. Good length and complexity, harmonic, spicy, round.

Martin Arndorfer 2006 Gruner Veltliner Strasser Weinburg
Crisp acidity, mineralic with flint, rock and grassy notes. This is the spiciness that Gruner is supposed to exhibit.

Martin Arndorfer 2006 Riesling Strasser Weinburg
Smells fruity on the nose but packs the powerful minerality of the primary rock that comprises the soil in the vineyard.

Martin Arndorfer 2006 Von den Terrassen 1958
Balanced, harmonic with sweet vanilla notes (how does that happen in 100% stainless steel??? Amazing!) and mineral character.