From: Weinviertel, Niederösterreich, Austria
Varietal: Gruner Veltliner

Taste: This entry-level Grüner Veltliner from Weingut Der Pollerhof is a breath of fresh air, and we’re thrilled to have it back in the shop. It’s certified organic (bio) and comes from a variety of soils, primarily Loess over chalk and granite. The grapes are handpicked from their estate vineyards, and the quality is evident as soon as you take your first sip. A classic beauty, this wine is more profound than it seems at first glance. It’s beautifully balanced with notes of citrus, apple, green pear, and a hint of white pepper. Zesty acidity and spicy minerality with a saline finish keep this delightful wine refreshing without being spritzy. 

Pairing: Traditional wiener schnitzel, wasabi and tuna salad, zucchini quiche, fried foods, goat cheese, young pecorino or mozzarella, artichokes, and grilled asparagus. Other excellent pairings include Tofu and Green Beans with Chile Crisp, a Crispy Rice Salad with Halloumi and Ginger-Lime Vinaigrette, Dan Dan Noodles, dim sum options like Shrimp and Cilantro Shu Mai or Chile Oil Wontons, Orange Chicken, pork dishes like carnitas tacos, Pork Meatballs with Ginger and Fish Sauce, dumplings, and Rillettes. 

About. Since 1660, the Poller family has been engaged in mixed agriculture, including viticulture, in the town of Röschitz, located in the western Weinviertel region, near the historic Austrian village of Retz. In 1920, Johann Poller, the grandfather of current winemaker Erwin Poller, shifted his focus exclusively to winemaking. He began by producing wine solely for his brothers’ wine houses in Vienna. The wine casks were transported by horse-drawn carriage to these popular wine houses, making a round-trip journey of 95 kilometers that took three days.

From a young age, Erwin was fascinated by every aspect of winemaking and found creative inspiration. He took over the winery in 1994 at just 24 years old. To expand his knowledge and experience, he visited and worked in the major wine regions of France, Italy, Germany, and the US. Since his takeover, the winery has grown exponentially, elevating its status and image to that of high quality.

Erwin Poller is fully hands-on and engaged in every facet of winemaking to ensure the purity and terroir-driven quality of his wines. He employs sustainable practices in the vineyards and hand-harvests the grapes. He even goes as far as to transport the grapes in small 20 kg bins to guarantee gentle transport from the vineyard to the cellar. (The bins are washed daily using only spring water.) In the cellar, the grapes are hand-selected three times and gently pressed in pneumatic presses to prevent any bitterness from being introduced to the must. Erwin has developed his own yeast culture for use in all of his wines.

Grüner Veltliner is the most important grape in the Pollerhof winery. It produces classic and distinct characteristics: peppery and fruit-forward. Other grape varietals Poller grows include Riesling, Muskateller, Müller Thurgau, Sauvignon Blanc, and some red varietals, such as Blauburger and Zweigelt.