Paul Achs

In many parts of the world, Austria is still something of an underrated wine producing country. It really shouldn’t be. This landlocked chunk of old Europe is one of the finest wine-drinking and making nations on earth, with a history that stretches back to the Roman empire.

Austria boasts some seriously impressive wine styles that range from uber-dry and refreshing whites to plump, juicy reds that really hit the spot. This is all thanks to the nation’s talented winemakers - people like Paul Achs, who is one of Austria’s most widely respected vintners, who has brought the skills and knowledge he picked up way out in California back to his hometown of Gols, where he now mainly focuses on red grape varietals native to his region.

In a country most famous for white wines, Paul Achs is flying the flag vigorously for red varietals such as Zweigelt and Pinot Noir - which does brilliantly well in Austria - and has picked up armfuls of accolades and awards in the process.

This winery is, in some ways, quite typical for Austria in the 21st century - it combines traditional approaches with an open-mindedness and willingness to experiment and play with convention, all in the name of achieving maximum expression from the fruit.

Austria is the home of Biodynamics, and Paul Achs utilises many of the practices and philosophies of this approach to viticulture, in the belief that this philosophy helps him to achieve the best possible flavours and aromas from his fantastic, single estate-grown grapes.

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