Meinklang 'Burgenland Red' 2023 Neusiedlersee, Burgenland, Austria

Meinklang Burgenland Red 2022 is a biodynamic blend of 60% Zweigelt, 30% Blaufränkisch, and 10% St. Laurent from the Michlits family estate in Austria's Neusiedlersee region. The grapes grow on volcanic soils with basalt and sandy loam layers within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of National Park Neusiedlersee. Meinklang employs semi-carbonic maceration with spontaneous fermentation using indigenous yeasts, followed by six months in stainless steel. Meinklang Burgenland Red 2022 is bottled unfined and unfiltered with minimal sulfites, showcasing the fresh, fruit-forward character that Demeter-certified biodynamic farming and minimal intervention can achieve.

Meinklang is a Demeter-certified biodynamic farm operated by the Michlits family in Pamhagen, a village in Burgenland situated within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of National Park Neusiedlersee. The name combines "mein" (my) and "klang" (sound), representing the family's personal harmony with nature. What began as a 60-hectare organic operation in the late 1980s has grown into one of Europe's largest biodynamic farms, now spanning approximately 2,500 hectares across the Austrian-Hungarian border.

The Michlits brothers—Werner, Hannes, and Lukas—each contribute distinct expertise: Werner manages the vineyards and winemaking alongside his wife Angela, Hannes oversees grain cultivation, and Lukas tends the livestock. Their parents, Anneliese and Werner Senior, converted to organic farming when such practices remained uncommon, later achieving biodynamic certification in 2003. After the fall of communism opened the Hungarian border in 1989, the family expanded their holdings to create a self-sustaining agricultural ecosystem.

Central to Meinklang's philosophy is integration between viticulture, livestock, and crop cultivation. A herd of over 300 Angus and Aubrac cattle—featured on every wine label—provides composted manure that fertilizes the vineyards naturally. Ancient grains including spelt, farro, and einkorn grow alongside fruit orchards and vegetable gardens. The family even founded a Waldorf school in the region and produces Urkorn beer from heritage wheat varieties.

In the cellar, Meinklang follows strict minimal-intervention principles: spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts, no reverse osmosis or chaptalization, aging in stainless steel and handmade concrete eggs, and bottling without fining or filtration. The 80 hectares of vineyards produce wines ranging from the approachable Burgenland Red and White to experimental releases in their Nacht and Morgen series.