Sommelier Selection: Nikolaihof

Nikolaihof is one of the oldest wine estates in Austria, with a history going back almost 2000 years to the Roman Empire. Originally chosen by the Romans because it was considered a Celtic holy site prior to 800 B.C., the foundations of the current house date to a Roman tower which existed as early as 63 B.C. Wine has been produced here since the time of the Celts and continued throughout the time of the Romans. Germanic monks obtained the estate during the collapse of Rome, and the first written evidence of winemaking comes from 470 A.D. This writing documented the monk’s ownership of the vineyard ‘Im Weingebirge’, the earliest named vineyard site in all of Europe that Nikolaihof still farms to this day.

Nikolaihof still functions as an independent, biodiverse farm, growing all kinds of herbs, fruits, and flowers, tending beehives for honey, and even using seeds for grapeseed oil. The average age of the vines at the estate is around 50 years old and the vineyards are farmed without herbicides, pesticides, artificial fertilizers, or synthetic sprays. Instead, stinging nettles, manure, valerian root, and other specially produced preparations are used. Natural fermentations are the rule, in Austrian oak vessels, deep in the cold, 700-year-old cellar. Long lees contact and aging are the norms, with some wines aging as long as 15 years before being bottled!

2019 Nikolaihof Steinterrassen Riesling vom Stein Smaragd

(Only 5 bottles available)

Wachau, Austria

Varietal: 100% Riesling 

Smells of fresh Mirabelle, ripe Amalfi lemon and a touch of chervil on a yeasty, smooth nose. The palate presents all this in one smooth, cooling flow, with notions of lemon becoming ever more prominent and apricot making a charming, perfumed appearance. Riesling's exuberance has been tamed into soothing mildness here. Full marks for charm and exquisite purity of fruit.

94 Pts. Vinous | Organic

2012 Nikolaihof Steinterrassen Grüner Veltliner

(Only 11 bottles available)

Wachau, Austria 

Varietal: 100% Gruner Veltliner

Lovely smokiness gives this wine a most youthful swing on the nose. The palate is vivid with freshness and youthful verve. The palate is vibrant with white pepper that pervades lemony Mirabelle flesh—slender and bright. What enduring freshness. What lovely acidity. What a wine. With lightness, freshness, acidity, vivacity and spice, it is a force of life, with a sheer, endless echo of lemon.

94 Pts. Vinous & James Suckling | Organic

***Bottled in May 2023 after almost twelve years in a 6,500-liter barrel.***