Weingut Knoll, “Loibenberg” Grüner Veltliner Smaragd

The smaragd-designated wines of Weingut Knoll—smaragd being the highest ripeness classification in the Wachau region—are some of the most opulent, profound Rieslings and Grüner Veltliners in Austria. In fact, Knoll’s whites rank among the very best (and most sought-after) in the world. The estate’s 15 hectares of vineyards are scattered around the village of Dürnstein, considered to be one of the top areas in the Wachau. The rich and unique soils here contain loess (wind-blown silt) and gneiss (granite-like), which lend vivid minerality to the wine. The famous label depicts St. Urban, a patron saint of winegrowers.Austria’s Wachau appellation is the country’s most acclaimed region and is best represented under the skilled guidance of producers like Knoll. About an hour northwest of Vienna along the Danube River, the vista of the steep, terraced vineyards of the Wachau creates a magnificent landscape akin to a verdant, ancient amphitheater—it is a UNESCO World Heritage site, after all.