The Austrian Weingut Frank produces award-winning wine in the Weinviertel that made its way up to Scandinavia. In this small Interview, Daniela Frank shares her thoughts on Austrian wine, tradition, and the importance of personally tending to wine.
Advantage Austria: You are an Austrian family business - can you give us a short introduction to your business, your activities as a winegrower, and what is particularly important to you?
Daniela Frank: Harald and his cousin Katrin manage 32 vineyards with a total area of 23 hectares in Herrnbaumgarten in the Weinviertel together with the extended family. This farm size allows us to work in the vineyards ourselves and to know the condition of each vineyard at all times. The cellar management is also done by Katrin and Harald. We make traditional, classic wines typical of the region. Important questions for us are: How can we keep our soils healthy and fertile for generations? How do we protect our vineyards from weather extremes? How can our wines taste so unique that they can succeed on the international market?
Advantage Austria: What makes Austria so special in terms of viticulture and wine culture?
Daniela Frank: Austria has a very long and independent wine-growing tradition – from the small family-run wineries and the autochthonous grape varieties (e.g., Grüner Veltliner, Zweigelt) to established research institutions (e.g. Federal Office Klosterneuburg). Two thirds of the Austrian population live in the vicinity of Austria's wine-growing regions - Austrians are very close to wine culture in every respect.
Advantage Austria: Is there a wine you are particularly proud of?
Daniela Frank: Yes, three Ried wines from Grüner Veltliner. "Ried Johannesbergen" and "Ried Hoher Weg" are both typical loess Veltliners: soft and full-bodied, while "Ried Baumgartleiten" tastes salty-mineralic. If I had to choose one, it would be "Ried Hoher Weg" vintage 2015.
Advantage Austria: Your wines are certified vegan and sustainable - why are these attributes so important nowadays?
Daniela Frank: We winegrowers noticed climate change on our vines and wines before many others - something changed from the 90s onwards. Many things were positive, for example, finally there were no more ripening problems. However, we noticed how sensitive the vines react to the climate. Just as sensitive as to the soil life - living soil makes it easier to deal with dry phases. That is why sustainability was and is essential for us. Also, consumers today simply expect wine to be vegan.
Advantage Austria: What about the international interest in your winery's offer? Your wines are available in the USA. What about the Scandinavian markets?
Daniela Frank: We export about two thirds of our production. Next to the USA, Scandinavia is our most important export market. Beverage importer AMKA is a reliable partner for our activities in the entire Scandinavian market. In Sweden, Grüner Veltliner and Riesling are the most popular.
Advantage Austria: What are the plans for the Frank winery for the upcoming year?
Daniela Frank: After major investments in recent years (e.g. photovoltaics) we want to concentrate fully on the vineyards in 2023. We will spend even more time together with our employees in the vineyards. Inbetween we are at a few wine fairs: e.g. ProWein Düsseldorf and, for the first time, Wine Paris.
Both Grüner Veltliner and Riesling from Winery Frank can be ordered from Systembolaget.
© Weingut Frank
