Emmerich Knoll

Adorning each bottle of Knoll is St. Urban’s holy visage: his fiery stare is a fitting way to alert those about to imbibe of the serious nature of the wines contained within.

The regimen at Knoll is decidedly classic for the Wachau, with a pointed reliance on large oak casks for maturation and release dates that are significantly later than some of their neighbors who prefer stainless steel and a quicker turnaround. As a result, the wines develop glacially and can confound even the most die-hard Austrian wine geeks. As anyone who has had the privilege of tasting many older bottles will tell you, though, these are sturdy wines that require and reward patience.

Emmerich Knoll III, an exuberant spokesperson for the Wachau region, farms the family’s 15 hectares of land and crafts wines that clearly express the Unterloiben terroir where some of Austria’s most famous vineyards can be found. This family run winery is a treasure that has been estate owned and operated for over three generations.  The majority of the Knoll’s vineyard plantings are dedicated to Gruner Veltliner and Riesling, but the family also farms small amounts of Rivaner, Gelber Traminer, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.  A member of “Vinea Wachau Nobilis Districtus,” an association of Wachau winemakers who follow strict quality control rules, the Knoll Winery upholds stringent farming and winemaking standards that vintage after vintage propel their wines to the top of restaurant, collector and critic’s lists.  Knoll wines are easily recognized by their distinct label that depicts an ornate image of St. Urban, the patron saint of winemakers and vineyards. While in the Wachau, one can also dine at the family’s acclaimed, 400 year old restaurant, Loibnerhof Familie Knoll.