Kremser Frechau

by Franz Türk

Kremser Frechau

Year of planting: 1966 Altitude: 230 - 250m
Orientation: South - East Incline of slope: 4°
Grape varieties: Grüner Veltliner

The Frechau single-vineyard site lies on an east to west axis. The vineyards face southeasterly on deep layers of loess deposits, which can be up to 20 metres in depth. The first documentation of the Frechau site dates back to the year 1204 and it is situated adjacent to the original Kremser Sandgrube, albeit slightly more towards the east.

Soil

Loess dominates here with deposits that delve down as deep as twenty metres. This finely-grained loess was blown to the region by prevailing winds during the period of low-vegetation and 'Ice Age' from glacier forefields, and the sediments settled down into the Alpine foothills as rock dust. Loess is always chalky with a flour-like consistency and generally has a highly porous structure.

Grape vine

The Grüner Veltliner is an indigenous white wine variety that has gained international attention as Austria’s signature grape in recent years. The name Grüner Veltliner is not that old; the variety was previously known as Weißgipfler (due to its light to white shoot tips) and Grünmuskateller. Fellow Veltliner namesakes include the Roter Veltliner and the Brauner Veltliner, with the prefix referring to the grape skin colour upon physiological ripeness.