In harmony with nature, the Piriwe family has been growing wine in and around Traiskirchen for four generations. The family has its origins in the south of France, where an affinity for viticulture was probably already in their genes. Their farm is located in the heart of the Thermenregion, fifteen kilometres south of Vienna, where wines of the highest quality are vinified with great passion and dedication. Once a mixed farm with arable farming, viticulture and livestock breeding, Josef Piriwe, also known simply as "Pepi", has focussed on quality viticulture and varietal and regional vinification over the last few decades. Even when he took over his parents' winery in his early 20s, he was fascinated by the many possible combinations of wines and food due to his professional activities in Viennese catering. Even today, the passionate winemaker regularly meets up with like-minded wine lovers to discuss developments in the world of wine. He shares this fascination with his wife Jana, who has specialised in cheese. Together they have now been running the business for over 30 years and continue to surprise their guests and customers with new culinary delights. This task seems tailor-made for the two of them and the next big step is already approaching. In the next few years, the long-prepared conversion to purely organic farming is to be finalised.
AUTHENTIC WINES
WITH VARIETAL CHARACTER
I was born into viticulture. Even as a child, I was fascinated by my parents' varied work in the vineyard, in the cellar and at the wine tavern. My enthusiasm outweighed my respect for the hard work involved. Today, having run the business together with my wife Jana for almost 35 years, I can look back with satisfaction both to the past and to the future. We have been able to realise many of our ideas and today produce authentic wines with varietal character. Over the next few years, we will be converting our farm to fully organic cultivation, thus creating optimal conditions for all those who are dear to us. After all, healthy soil and an optimal microclimate in our vineyards have always been very important to us and the legacy we want to leave to future generations.
The Piriwe family's vineyards stretch along the hilly landscape of the eastern foothills of the Alps. Bründlbach, Rasslerin, Schwaben, Spielbrett, Therlberg and Wienerin are among the best-known vineyards in the Thermenregion, where the Piriwe family also harvests grapes of the highest quality year after year. Both local specialities and internationally renowned grape varieties thrive at the foot of the Anninger and Eichkogel mountains.
While Zierfandler, Rotgipfler and Neuburger are mainly known locally, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are represented and popular around the globe. In addition to tried and tested classics and opulent reserves, exquisite sweet wines have long been an integral part of Pepi Piriwe's cellar world. The mineral soils give the wines an unmistakable character.
In the course of continuous development, a new chapter in the family's history book was opened a few years ago with unique natural wines, and another will soon follow. Soon all Piriwe wines will be available in certified organic quality.
The Piriwe family is regularly recognised by national wine guides such as Falstaff, a la Carte and Salon, as well as international bodies such as Gault Millau, the Berlin Wine Trophy and the Mondial de Pinot (Switzerland) for their unconditional pursuit of quality and the unmistakable character of their wines.