Winery founded at Oberloiben 27
Notes on Grüner Veltliner selection massale
1928 and 1956
The selection massale notebooks written by Franz Pichler senior (1906–1998) unite yesterday, today and tomorrow. This selection massale was first recorded in 1928 on the Loibenberg and in the Steinertal vineyards, with the aim of taking cuttings from vines displaying the most positive properties of the Grüner Veltliner grape variety. These observations led to yield a Grüner Veltliner that produces smaller grapes with higher extract, and thus a lower yield, with less susceptibility to fungal diseases and rot.
We continue to reproduce the chosen selection and it is found in many of our Veltliner vineyards today. Out of respect and gratitude to our founding fathers, we continue to employ this very long term and extremely time-consuming selection to preserve and pass on the knowledge that has been handed down though our vineyards for the future.
Selection massale: The term “massale selection” involves identifying a selection of outstanding old vines from the vineyard and then propagating new vines from these cuttings (or budwood) for the sole purpose of reproduction. The selected vines, also called field sections, are pruned and grafted onto suitable supports in nurseries so that they may be replanted. In this way, vineyards with old, high-quality vines can be renewed again. The process results in increased diversity compared with clonal selection.
Our Story
began in 1905
1905
1928
First sélection massale by Franz Pichler Sr. (1906–1998) of Grüner Veltliner from the Loibenberg and Frauenweingarten vineyards
1952
Second sélection massale by Franz Pichler Sr. of Grüner Veltliner from Loibenberg in Steinertal
1984
National breakthrough with Gelber Muskateller named ‘Wine of the Year’
1990
International breakthrough with Riesling Kellerberg 1990
1991
First vintage of Grüner Veltliner ‘M’
1992
First vintage of Riesling ‘M’
1996
Lucas Pichler joins his parents’ winery
1998
First vintage of Riesling ‘Unendlich’
2003
First vintage of Grüner Veltliner ‘Unendlich’
2009
New winery opens at Oberloiben 57, in the heart of Klostersatz
2018
Official handover of the winery to Lucas F. Pichler
2018
Grüner Veltliner ‘Unendlich’ 2018 is the first – and so far only – Grüner Veltliner in the world to have been awarded 100 Parker points
2019
Pinot Noir grafting scions cut at the Juris winery in Gols (Burgenland)
2020
First conversion at Loibner Rothenhof of Sauvignon Blanc to Pinot Noir and new planting of Pinot Noir in Loibner Mühlpoint vineyard
2020
Withdrawal from the Vinea Wachau regional association and the introduction of the ‘Wachau DAC’
2021
Second conversion of Grüner Veltliner at Dürnsteiner Liebenberg to Pinot Noir and Riesling to Pinot Noir at Loibner Burgstall
2022
First vintage of ‘Wachauer Pinot Noir’ by F.X. Pichler
2026
Premiere of the first three vintages: 2022, 2023 and 2024 ‘Wachauer Pinot Noir’ by F.X. Pichler at VieVinum in Vienna