Feeling like the queen of the castle at Ashford Estates, sipping on this Pittnauer ‘Konig’ Rosé 2020, which I bought at The Lamplight Wine Bar. (Side note: The lady at this bar is awesome! Was chatting with her for a while)

Based in Austria, Pittnauer has become a family affair. In 1959, Lorenz Pittnauer laid the foundation for the company. He passed on his knowledge to his son Helmut and grandson Andreas. They practice low intervention, biodynamic, and no to low sulphur methods.

Today, the family cultivates 17 hectares of vineyards in a prime location around Lake Neusiedl, which is favored by the sunny, Pannonian climate.

This wine is blend of Blaufränkisch (80%), Zweigelt (10%), and St. Laurent (10%) from 15-20-year-old vines planted to a mixture of sandy, loamy and chalky soils. The Zweigelt and St. Laurent were hand-harvested in September and the Blaufränkisch was hand-harvested in early October. All grapes were vineyard sorted and de-stemmed before spontaneous fermentation begins and lasts for six weeks, with temperature control and spends three months on the lees in stainless steel tanks. Aged for four months in stainless steel. Fined and filtered.

The wine was pale salmon in color. The nose full of red berries and florals. It was dry, light to med body, with high acidity and a long finish. On the mouth was citrus, tangy acidity, strawberries, raspberries, and cranberries. Crisp and fresh. It’s not your light and chill rosé, but one that bursts with flavor. Delish!