Description
Wine Details: Christian Tschida Brutal
Alcohol Grade: 11.5%
Aging/ Vinification: This vintage is primarily composed of Pinot Noir, with some reports indicating a blend with Blaufränkisch. The grapes are hand-harvested from 40-year-old vines rooted in chalky soils. Following destemming, the grapes undergo foot-treading, and fermentation occurs in large oak barrels using indigenous yeasts. The wine experiences a skin maceration period of approximately 12 months and is aged in large, old oak barrels. It is bottled without fining, filtration, or the addition of sulfur, aligning with Tschida’s natural winemaking philosophy.
Biodynamic practices, certified organic
Best to have it: 7-9ºC
Size: 750 ml
The Producer: Christian Tschida
Christian Tschida is one of Austria’s most original voices in natural winemaking, working from his family estate in the village of Illmitz, nestled in Burgenland near Lake Neusiedl. Surrounded by sandy gravel soils and protected by the Pannonian climate—dry, sunny, and tempered by cool lake breezes—Tschida farms around 10 hectares of vineyards using organic and biodynamic principles. His vines, some over 60 years old, grow without irrigation or synthetic inputs, yielding low quantities of intensely expressive fruit. The terroir plays a major role in shaping his wines, which are known for their elegance, delicacy, and distinct sense of place, often defying the expectations of what Burgenland wines are supposed to be.
In the cellar, Tschida is obsessively hands-off. Grapes are harvested early to retain freshness, foot-crushed or gently pressed, and left to ferment with indigenous yeasts. No sulfur is added during vinification, and aging takes place in large, old oak barrels—some suspended above ground in open sheds to allow the wines to breathe naturally with the seasons. Bottling is done without fining or filtration. His wines, which range from ethereal whites to light, perfumed reds, have earned a cult following for their purity, texture, and energy. Tschida’s work stands out not only for its philosophy but for its finesse—delivering natural wines that are both soulful and incredibly refined.
