The Wagram, a gently sloping terrain step carved by glacial winds on the ancient rock base of the Danube, is defined by one thing: loess – a wind-blown silt and clay deposit that is often yellowish-gray, porous and rich in minerals. These layers, up to 20 metres deep, allow vine roots to draw water and nutrients from extraordinary depths. It’s this well-penetrable soil, combined with the influence of the Pannonian climate, that gives wines from this Austrian region their distinctive character. Weingut Leth, a family business now in its third generation, has made the most of it.
Based in the small village of Fels am Wagram, the Leth family farms 53 hectares of vineyards according to organic, sustainable and vegan standards, dispensing entirely with herbicides, insecticides and animal-based products. Half the area under vine is planted with Grüner Veltliner, the variety for which Wagram is best known, but the estate also pays close attention to Roter Veltliner, an indigenous regional rarity with a long tradition in the area.
For the Leth family, each year begins in the vineyard, where soils, climate and careful work shape the fruit in unique ways. No vintage is ever the same, and that constant challenge is what keeps the work interesting. In the cellar, the process continues with precision and patience, guiding the wines whilst allowing them to reveal their natural character.
Low-yielding plants, hand-picking and a strong dedication to terroir reflection produce wines of distinct character, standing out for their combination of drinkability and complexity. Single-vineyard wines may mature in large wooden barrels for up to a year, red wines for up to two. As members of Österreichische Traditionsweingüter, the top single-vineyard wines are labelled Erste Lage ÖTW and find their way to customers throughout Europe, America and the Far East.
What sets Weingut Leth apart is the deep roots they have in their region and the traditions of their family estate. The deep loess soils give their wines unmistakable character: expressive aromatics, depth and a fine balance of elegance and structure. It’s this combination of terroir, tradition and authenticity that defines their work.
