Seegut Lentsch
The Winery
In the heart of the Neusiedlersee region lies Seegut Lentsch. For three generations, the family has been dedicated to the cultivation and production of wines that passionately and devotedly reflect the unique terroir and characteristic features of the region. Brothers Thomas and Markus Lentsch have now taken over the family winery in its third generation, bringing a successful combination of tradition and innovation to the operation.
The vineyards stretch through the picturesque Seewinkel National Park area, surrounded by breathtaking natural landscapes. The saline ponds and sandy clay soils shape the vines and lend the wines a unique minerality and complexity. Each sip of wine embodies the unmistakable terroir in which they have grown.
The Wines
The selection encompasses a diverse range of wines that perfectly express the characteristics of the region. The focus on white wines includes Burgundy varieties, including the elegant Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris), the finely fruity Weißburgunder (Pinot Blanc), and the expressive Chardonnay. In addition, some lively and refreshing white wine varieties enrich the range, captivating with their lightness and freshness.
For enthusiasts of robust and expressive red wines, the assortment offers a selection of indigenous grape varieties such as the characterful Zweigelt, the elegant St. Laurent, and the powerful Blaufränkisch. These vines thrive splendidly in this terroir, producing red wines that impress with their intensity, structure, and long aging potential.
The goal is to produce wines of the highest quality. To achieve this, careful work in the vineyard, gentle vinification techniques, and passionate cellar work are employed. Every step in the production process is executed with the utmost care and precision to fully unlock the potential of the grapes.
From the Beginning to Today
The passion for wine began with our great-grandfather and a few vineyards even before 1955. Franz Lentsch Senior, a visionary of his time, laid the foundation for the present-day winery with the construction of the 30-meter-long brick vaulted cellar in 1962. The vaulted cellar still stands as the center and jewel of the winery, and it is the largest of its kind in Podersdorf am See.
The pursuit of perfection was instilled in his son, Franz Jr., from an early age. After the untimely death of his father, with the full support of his mother Hildegard, the winery was expanded and enlarged with a lot of innovation and hard work. Throughout this growth, there was always a commitment to preserving what had proven successful while remaining open to new ideas.
Now, more than half a century later, the fourth generation is continuing what was started 60 years ago with the laying of the foundation by their grandfather. Together, Markus and Thomas are working to implement new concepts for contemporary, environmentally friendly winemaking.
Wine family
Location, climate & soil
Climate
The Seewinkel region on Lake Neusiedl, nestled in the Pannonian lowlands, boasts a distinctive climate that significantly influences viticulture in this area. Its geographical location brings a continental climate characterized by hot summers and cold winters, as well as significant temperature fluctuations between day and night. These climatic peculiarities shape wine production in various ways.
1. Pannonian Climate:
The intense hours of sunshine during the warm summer months promote grape ripening, resulting in higher sugar content and more intense aromas. At the same time, cool nights preserve the acidity in the grapes, leading to balanced and complex wines.
2. Precipitation
The Seewinkel region on Lake Neusiedl is characterized by low precipitation levels. This aspect presents winemakers with the challenge of dealing with the specific requirements of grapevines in a dry climate. On one hand, the dry climate helps maintain the health of the vines, ensuring a continuous supply of healthy and high-quality grapes. On the other hand, insufficient water can affect the development of wine aromas and structure.
Understanding and managing these drought conditions are crucial for wine production in the Seewinkel.
3. Influence of the Lake Wind:
The lake wind blowing from Lake Neusiedl influences the microclimate of the vineyards. This wind promotes air circulation, reduces the risk of diseases in the grapevines, and contributes to even grape ripening. Additionally, it has a moderating effect on temperatures in the vineyards.
Overall, the unique Pannonian climate of the Seewinkel on Lake Neusiedl shapes viticulture and contributes to the production of wines with distinctive characteristics and terroir.
Soil
In the Seewinkel on Lake Neusiedl, a variety of soil types shape the viticultural landscape and have a significant impact on the characteristics of our wines.
1. Sandy Soils:
The Seewinkel region on Lake Neusiedl often features sandy soils, which have a significant impact on viticulture. Sandy soils have excellent drainage and permeability, meaning excess water drains quickly, and there is no waterlogging. This property is advantageous for viticulture as it ensures that vine roots do not stagnate in water. It supports controlled water supply to the vines, encourages the development of deep root systems, and can contribute to grape concentration.
Sandy soils warm up relatively quickly compared to other soil types. This is especially beneficial in cooler climates or during spring and autumn periods when better soil warming is required for vine growth and grape ripening. Increased warmth can lead to earlier grape ripening, allowing the winemaker to choose optimal harvest times.
Sandy soils tend to store fewer nutrients than other soil types like clay or loam. This requires careful nutrient management to ensure the vines receive the necessary nutrients. Lower nutrient availability can also lead to vines directing their energy more towards grape production, resulting in concentrated aromas and structures in the wines, producing denser and more intense wines.
The specific mineral properties of sandy soils can be reflected in wine aromas. Wines grown on sandy soils tend to exhibit a certain freshness, liveliness, and clear fruit aromas. The mineral nuances may be subtle, but they contribute to the complexity and uniqueness of the wine style.
Overall, sandy soils often lead to wines that have a certain elegance, freshness, and minerality. Winemakers leverage these characteristic features to produce wines with expressive terroir and clear, precise structures.
2. Gravel Soils:
Another significant soil type in the Seewinkel is gravel soils, which exert a crucial influence on viticulture. Gravel soils are also characterized by excellent drainage, allowing excess water to drain easily. They also provide efficient aeration due to the coarse grains, promoting healthy root development, preventing waterlogging, and minimizing the risk of root rot. Optimal soil aeration can help vines efficiently uptake nutrients.
Gravel soils can store and release heat effectively. During the day, the stones absorb heat, which they radiate to the vines at night. This encourages more even grape ripening and can be particularly helpful in cooler climates to prevent excessive cooling of grapes during the night. The ability to retain heat can also accelerate grape ripening.
Similar to sandy soils, gravel soils tend to have lower nutrient content. This requires careful management and nutrient supplementation to ensure the vines receive adequate nourishment. However, lower fertility can result in vines channeling their energy into grape production, leading to concentrated aromas and higher grape quality.
The mineral properties of gravel soils can influence the taste of wines. Wines grown on gravel soils often exhibit a certain minerality and a clear, precise structure. This contributes to a characteristic elegance and complexity of the wine.
3. Clay and Loam Soils:
Clay and loam-rich soils are also found in the region and have a higher water-holding capacity compared to sandy or gravel soils. They can retain water well, which is advantageous during dry periods as vines can draw on the reserves stored in the soil. Additionally, these soils store more nutrients, ensuring that vines receive an adequate supply of essential nutrients.
In comparison to sandy or gravel soils, clay and loam soils warm up more slowly. This can result in vines taking a bit longer to ripen. This slower ripening process can lead to wines with good acidity and a balanced structure.
Clay and loam soils tend to impart wines with a certain density and structure. Higher nutrient availability promotes vine growth and can lead to more intense grape development. This can result in wines with a powerful body, pronounced texture, and long aging potential.
4. Saline Lakes and Saline Soils:
Saline lakes in the Seewinkel can have a unique influence on wine, especially when located near vineyards.
Elevated salt content in the soil can pose a challenge for grapevines. Salt can impede water absorption through the roots and stress the vines. Some grape varieties may better tolerate salty conditions than others, and winemakers may need to employ specific cultivation methods to maintain vine health.
The salt content in the soil can impact the taste of the grapes. In some cases, this can contribute to a mineral character in the wines. The effect may vary depending on the distance of the vineyards from the saline lakes and the specific geological characteristics of the soils.
When winemakers skillfully address the challenges and opportunities arising from proximity to saline lakes, it can result in a unique terroir character that reflects the specific conditions of the growing area.
Impact on Wine:
The diversity of soils in the Seewinkel allows for a wide range of grape varieties and wine styles. The mineral properties of gravel and sandy soils can contribute to wines with clear, precise structures and pronounced aromas. On the other hand, clay and loam-rich soils can produce wines with more body and depth. The right choice of grape variety in conjunction with soil characteristics allows winemakers to harness the region’s best qualities and produce high-quality wines with terroir expression.
Overall, the soils in the Seewinkel are crucial components of the terroir and play a significant role in allowing the wines from this region to express their characteristic traits and uniqueness.
Images from the winery
