From: Weinland, Austria

Varietal: Gruner Veltliner

Der Pollerhof
The Weinviertel (Wine Quarter) is the largest wine growing region in Austria. Roughly speaking, it occupies the north-east corner of the country. Eventually, it will be further divided, and some already speak of a Western Part, an Eastern part and a Southern part. But the Weinviertel is really an archipelago of wine islands set in the middle of a vast, rolling farmland. You can drive in it for many miles and never see a single vine. Then suddenly there will be, surrounding a village, nothing but vines. Roschitz is one such vine island in the Western Weinviertel.

A tiny village about five miles from the Czech border, without a single restaurant, it’s as quiet as a hamlet can be. But there is a long Kellergasse, a narrow lane with wine cellars dug into the earth on either side. Most of these are simple cellars for private use, but at least one of them is quite special.

This is Pollerhof. (The winery itself is on another road, which is also where Ervin Poller lives.) In the cellar, you can walk downstairs, where various things including bottled wines are stored, or upstairs at ground level, where there is a tasting space as well as a small stage at the end where intimate events are held, readings, little plays, etc. It is very simple. Outside, in the back, the vines, in this case Gelber Muskateller, gently slope away down to the main road. It is quite an idyllic place. Ervin Poller is a one-man operation. He works organically (but has refused to be classified) and produces wines from an almost bewildering number of grapes.

While Erwin always worked following biological principals, he decided to obtain certification as an organic producer and is currently in transition and fully certified in 2021.

Tasting Notes: A crisp and easy drinking Grüner Veltliner, with hints of fresh green apple and citrus fruit.

Pairing: Great with sushi, oysters, seafood, chicken, light meats, spicy food and Asian dishes.