Growth of the Umathum Wine Business

The present area of land under vine cultivation is 85 acres, with some further 25 acres under contract arrangements. Red wine makes up roughly 85% of production, with dry white wines counting for 14%, and sweet wines 1%. Private customers account for 20% of direct sales from the vineyard. The restaurant trade and specialist dealers are important partners.

Twelve people are employed throughout the year, with additional help being recruited for foliage treatment and harvest.

2025

Eamed the Sustainable Austria Award as one of the top three such businesses in Austria.

Wine series produced called Die Großmutter und die Jungen Wilden (The Grandmother and the Young Wild Ones) that featured five wines made up of resilient new grape varieties and one historic variety from the Pannonian region.

2024

A new chapter in environmentally-friendly viticulture begins with the launch of PIRO red wine, our first PIWI, or wines made from fungus-resistant grape varieties.

Exactly five hundred years ago, in 1524, Queen Mary of Hungary permitted wines grown in Jois, Neusiedl am See, and Rust to be distilled in barrels and get transported under royal protection, making for one of the first designations of origin in the world.

2023

Josef Umathum receives the VINEUS AWARD for his lifework.

2022

The 1995 Welschriesling Trockenbeerenauslese was awarded 100 Parker points, a rating previously achieved by only four wines from Austria, three of which were from Burgenland.

Planting of woods outside Frauenkirchen to demonstrate that massive reforestation is needed east of Lake Neusiedl to slow down the ever-stronger winds, improve the microclimate, and raise the water table.

2021

Our team erected landscape features such as rock piles and planted hedges to provide excellent refuge for beneficial insects and to promote biodiversity.

2020

Plant growth takes no breaks. In this pandemic year, we got to work out in the fresh air. With all quiet at the winery, it gave us time to organize things.

2018

Further expansion of our photovoltaic system. The winery now generates approximately 250% of its own energy requirements.

2016

Josef’s involvement in a citizens’ initiative to keep an industrial agriculture project out of Frauenkirchen has spared the small town from overdevelopment and protected farm land and vital groundwater. Democratic engagement and responsibility for the environment and society are part of our mission statement.

2014

With the reconstruction of the historic dry stone terraces in Jois-mentioned in documents 800 years ago-we revived an important element of our region’s wine growing history.

An optical sorting machine now further carefully selects hand-picked grapes in the cellar. Insects and spiders hidden among the berries get returned to nature unharmed.

2013

Founding of the Umdenken (Rethinking) project that supports initiatives in rural areas.

2012

Addition of an event space and extension of bottle storage facilities.
A repeat win of the Decanter Sweet Wine Trophy in London.

2010

Reintroduction of the ancient central European Lindenblättriger grape variety into the Burgenland region.

2009

First certification from the International Food Standards (IFS) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

2007

Membership in the Demeter biodynamic federation.

2006

Reintroduction of cattle farming with the purchase of two Graurinder cows.

2004

Adaption of glass stoppers with the first red wine in the world to be so sealed. Individual vineyards converted to biodynamic ways of operating.

2003

Opening of a warehouse for bottles and barrique barrels, and of a spacious tasting room.
Installation of a photovoltaic system that was at that time the largest system in Burgenland.
Conversion of the heating system to wood chips and installation of water cisterns for storing rainwater.

2002

Founding of the wine project Zantho, a joint venture in the town of Andau between Josef Umathum, Wolfgang Peck and the Andau Wine Cooperative, whose aim for export is to produce better quality wines in bigger quantities.
Recipient of the Decanter Sweet Wine Trophy in London.

2000

Purchase of 15 acres of grape parcels from the Count Harrach vineyard in Jois. These historic vine plantings were part of the Ungarisch-Altenburg estate, with a first recorded mention in 1214, and had been owned since the early Middle Ages by Hungarian kings. Restoration of the mediaeval terracing and new plantings. Further emphasis of the local grape varieties Zweigelt, Sankt Laurent and Blaufränkisch.

1998

Sharing wine know-how with other grape suppliers who were to receive payment based on growing area, a revolutionary step for the region.

1995

Burgundy Style Trophy in London – the highest award for an Austrian red wine ever achieved.

1991

Building of the vaulted sandstone cellar. Trophée Gourmet award.

1990

Falstaff vintner of the year.
Twelve employees throughout the year, with additional help recruited for pruning and harvest.

1987

Total specialization in wine cultivation, above all on local varieties. Start of large-scale investment in cellaring and expansion of vine planted areas.

1985

The younger son, Josef Umathum, switches from geography studies to devote himself to the family business. After a one-year course in viniculture and cellaring, he furthered his theoretical knowledge at renowned vineyard in France and Germany. Founder Johann Umathum took over the wine growing, while Josef specialized in cellaring. For the first time, the entire harvest was sold in bottles.

1982

The intended successor to taking over the firm (the eldest son) unexpectedly left the firm.
This resulted in a period of uncertainty. No investments could be planned.

1980

End of cattle farming. Specialisation in dry wines.

1973

A top floor added to the family home to rent rooms to vacationers.

1971

Wine growing stepped up. Botteling on premises and direct sales started. Planted areas increased to 16 acres. The first red wine, Zweigelt, is planted. Production of noble sweet wines. The total area of land devoted to productive agriculture is 37 acres, with a further 25 acres leased.

1963

The vine-planted areas reach six acres, with quality grape varieties chosen. Grains sold to wholesalers, and start of cattle farming.

1961

Seven acres of agricultural land purchased.

1959

Planting of the first vineyard on three acres..

1958

Enterprise founded by Elisabeth and Johann Umathum, primarily with sugar beet and grain production over 15 acres. Living and commercial buildings erected. Total start-up capital: 7.300 Euro.