We are delighted with the outstanding ratings in the new A la Carte Wine Guide 2026. Our Leithaberg wines once again impressed the jury and received multiple awards ranging from 92 to 95 points.

We are particularly pleased with the high ratings for our Blaufränkisch and Chardonnay single-vineyard wines, which embody terroir, precision, and great aging potential. These ratings confirm that we are on the right track: uncompromising manual labor in the vineyard, a hands-off approach in the cellar, and a clear focus on authentically expressing the character of the limestone and slate soils around the Leithaberg.

A heartfelt thank you to the A la Carte team for the recognition.

An overview of all tasting notes:

95 Blaufränkisch Ried Reisbühl Leithaberg DAC 2022
Youthful color, inviting berry fruit, cherry, cranberry, nougat, cocoa; full-bodied, dense, and well-balanced on the palate; fine tannins; long finish; notes of blackcurrant and kumquat in the aftertaste; aging potential.

95 Chardonnay Ried Tatschler Leithaberg DAC 2023
Youthful color, intense, complex bouquet, a hint of reduction; opens up with air to reveal quince, citrus zest, caramel, and almonds; opulent attack, firm, tightly woven structure, fine tannins, grapefruit and kumquat on the finish; shows potential.

94+ Chardonnay Ried Katterstein Leithaberg DAC 2023
Youthful color, complex bouquet, candied orange, almonds, nutty spice, full-bodied, dense and firm, fine, tightly woven tannins on the finish, lime and a delicate creaminess in the aftertaste, aging potential.

94 Blaufränkisch Ried Föllikberg Leithaberg DAC 2022
Youthful color, pronounced aroma, cranberry, verbena, marzipan, blueberry, full-bodied, balanced texture, fine-grained tannins, long-lasting, with notes of apricot and lingonberry in the finish.

93+ Chardonnay Lagenwerk Leithaberg DAC 2023
Youthful color, pronounced notes of ripe stone fruit, yellow peach, melon, sponge cake, and grapefruit; full-bodied, dense, with a balanced structure, fine tannins, a fruity finish, and a long-lasting aftertaste.

92+ Chardonnay Kalk & Schiefer Leithaberg DAC 2023
Youthful color, inviting fruit notes, mandarin, candied orange, yellow apple, full-bodied wine, harmonious mouthfeel, fruity finish, delicate smoothness on the palate, long finish.

92 Weissburgunder Alte Reben Leithaberg DAC 2024
Light color, youthful fruit notes, nectarine, quince, physalis, full-bodied, dense and firm structure, tightly woven finish, long finish.

“The family-run winery, led by Michael Kirchknopf, is one of the established wineries in the southern Leithaberg region. The entire range is classified as Leithaberg DAC and is stylistically characterized by precise interpretations of the vineyards. This applies to both the white and red premium lines. The current series comprises three vintages that demonstrate that the winemaker’s signature has reached the highest level in terms of precision, finesse, and density. And this is despite the fact that the two top Chardonnay variants from the Tatschler and Katterstein vineyards, vintage 2023, and the estate’s flagship red wine, the Blaufränkisch Ried Reisbühl 2022, will not be featured in the next guide due to their youthful stage of development.

The terroir-driven winemaking philosophy and commitment to sustainability are just as much a given as the use of minimally invasive winemaking methods, including spontaneous fermentation and aging on the fine lees until bottling. To further optimize the balance between fruit extract and cool freshness, the harvest date has been moved up in some cases to prioritize freshness. Aging takes place in storage barrels of various sizes. The focus in the white wine portfolio is on the Chardonnay variety. A new addition is the Cuvée Lagenwerk, which comes from younger vines in the Reisbühl and Tatschler vineyards. The aim here is to create a high-quality local wine that fully impresses with its chalky, refined character. Complementing this, the Neuburger DAC is aged in the very traditional style—that is, in large wooden barrels—resulting in an unsurpassed expression of the variety with a harmonious richness of fruit that is second to none.

In the red wine category, the Blaufränkisch variety commands full attention. Here, Michael Kirchknopf presents Kalk & Schiefer, a blend of these very different terroirs. With a longer maceration period of 15 to 20 days and whole-cluster pressing—including a portion of grape stems—the result is a delicately fruity red wine that, with its appealing tannic bite, promises an enjoyable drinking experience even on hot days. The Blaufränkisch Fölligberg 2022 can be described as the “best ever” from the Kirchknopf estate, fully delighting with its full-bodied texture and deep fruit profile.”

★★★ Weissburgunder Alte Reben Leithaberg DAC 2024
Aromas of light nuts, abundant yellow fruit, juicy, dense, well-balanced, with good length.

★★★ Neuburger Tradition Leithaberg DAC 2023
A delicate bouquet of ripe apple, quince, and elderflower, with white fruit aromas and hints of yellow fruit; full-bodied with a clean, linear structure, juicy, with a delicate balance of acidity, rich in extract, and a smooth, velvety finish; long-lasting, an impressive expression of the variety.

★★★ Chardonnay Kalk & Schiefer Leithaberg DAC 2023
Stone fruit notes, a touch of exoticism, lively fruit flavors with verve, pink grapefruit, excellent structure, shows depth, delicately smoky, strong terroir character, a real pleasure to drink, good length.

★★★ Chardonnay Lagenwerk® Leithaberg DAC 2023
A concentrated, fruity nose with stone fruit and rich yellow fruit aromas; a style characterized by spice, orange zest, and substance; complex and perfectly structured with a tannic backbone; an attractive balance; compact, with a long finish.

★★★★ Chardonnay Ried Tatschler Leithaberg DAC 2022
A delicate, herbaceous bouquet; fully ripe, golden-hued aromas; powerful and nuanced with a distinct fruity character; mineral-driven; dense and compact; with a long finish.

★★★ Blaufränkisch Kalk & Schiefer Leithaberg DAC 2022
Abundant red berry notes intertwined with delicate herbal spice; powerful and complex, with a light, elegant touch; shows some edge; a cool, crisp quality; strong terroir expression; highly drinkable; superb style; very long finish.

★★★★ Blaufränkisch Ried Föllikberg Leithaberg DAC 2022
A bouquet of dark fruits, earthy notes, tightly woven, profound, with a rich, full-bodied texture, pronounced tannins, dense, intense, harmonious, crystal-clear style, long-lasting, a magnificent expression of the terroir, superb.

Old vines, handcrafted winemaking, and terroir—the very things that have always driven us—have once again been recognized on the big stage. Following last year’s tremendous success, when our Neuburger took home the victory at the Falstaff Burgundy Trophy, we have reason to celebrate once more:

Our 2024 Weissburgunder Alte Reben Leithaberg DAC took home the trophy this year. But that’s not all: our Chardonnays also impressed the jury across the board and earned top ratings. For us, this is a special affirmation that our consistent commitment to quality is putting us on the right path.

92 Points Weissburgunder Alte Reben Leithaberg DAC 2024
Pale greenish-yellow with silvery highlights. Delicate apple notes, a hint of meadow herbs, and nuances of pineapple and lime zest. Juicy white stone fruit, fresh acidity, and a mineral-salty finish—a lively companion at the table.

92 Points Chardonnay Kalk & Schiefer Leithaberg DAC 2023
Bright golden yellow with silvery highlights. Delicate notes of meadow herbs, a hint of Golden Delicious apple, subtle hints of hazelnut, and a mineral touch. Tight and well-structured, with notes of white pome fruit, a delicate acidity, and a mineral-salty finish.

93 Points Chardonnay Lagenwerk® Leithaberg DAC 2023
Bright golden yellow with silvery highlights. Subtle notes of orange blossom and candied citrus zest, yellow peach, and a hint of mango, underpinned by a touch of caramel. Tight structure, delicate fruit sweetness, creamy texture,

94 Points Chardonnay Ried Tatschler Leithaberg DAC 2023
Bright golden yellow with silvery highlights. Subtle woody notes, a hint of pineapple and vanilla, a touch of lanolin, white nougat, and an attractive bouquet. Tight and well-structured, with a Burgundian style, delicate fruit sweetness, minerality, and good length; an elegant wine that is already approachable and pairs well with food, with good aging potential.

94 Points Chardonnay Ried Katterstein Leithaberg DAC 2023
Pale greenish-yellow with silvery highlights. Hints of lemon balm, lime zest, white apple, and a mineral touch. Juicy and complex, with notes of white nougat, a delicate acidity, firm and persistent, a refined style that shows good length and aging potential.

A wonderful recognition of our work and our wines!

94 Points Chardonnay Ried Tatschler Leithaberg DAC 2023
Bright golden yellow with silver highlights. Delicate woody notes, a hint of pineapple and vanilla, a touch of lanolin, white nougat, and an attractive bouquet. Tight and well-structured, with a Burgundian style, delicate fruit sweetness, minerality, and good length; an elegant wine that is already approachable and pairs well with food, with good aging potential.

94 Points Chardonnay Ried Katterstein Leithaberg DAC 2023
Pale greenish-yellow with silvery highlights. Hints of lemon balm, lime zest, white apple, and a mineral touch. Juicy and complex, with notes of white nougat, a delicate acidity, firm and persistent, a refined style that shows good length and aging potential.

93 Points Chardonnay Lagenwerk Leithaberg DAC 2023
Bright golden yellow with silver highlights. Subtle notes of orange blossom and candied citrus zest, yellow peach, and a hint of mango, underpinned by a touch of caramel. Tight structure, delicate fruit sweetness, creamy texture, well-integrated acidity, and a mineral finish. Already very drinkable, with good aging potential.

92 Points Chardonnay Kalk & Schiefer Leithaberg DAC 2023
Bright golden yellow with silver highlights. Delicate notes of meadow herbs, a hint of Golden Delicious apple, subtle hints of hazelnut, and a mineral touch. Tight and well-structured, with notes of white pome fruit, a delicate acidity, and a mineral-salty finish.

92 Points Weissburgunder Alte Reben Leithaberg DAC 2024
Pale greenish-yellow with silvery highlights. Delicate apple notes, a hint of meadow herbs, and nuances of pineapple and lime zest. Juicy, with flavors of white pome fruit, fresh acidity, and a mineral-salty finish—a lively companion at the table.

92 Points Neuburger Tradition Leithaberg DAC 2023
Bright golden yellow with silver highlights. Delicate notes of yellow tropical fruit, a hint of pear, candied orange zest, and subtle stone fruit notes. Medium complexity, with white apple fruit, fresh acidity, a lemony touch, and a mineral-salty finish; a versatile wine for pairing with food.

94 Points Blaufränkisch Ried Föllikberg Leithaberg DAC 2022
Deep ruby-garnet color with violet highlights and a delicate lightening at the rim. Notes of nougat and licorice, with hints of blackberry jam underscored by red berry nuances. Complex, juicy, and elegant, with fine tannins and good acidity; delicate blackberry notes linger on the finish. A refined wine for the table, with good length and potential.

94 Points Blaufränkisch Ried Reisbühl Leithaberg DAC 2022
Dark ruby-garnet color with violet highlights and a delicate lightening at the rim. Ripe cherries, a hint of plums, candied orange zest, and subtle minerality. Full-bodied and tightly structured, with notes of fine nougat, ripe, well-integrated tannins, and minerality; good length; a firm, persistent style; a delicately spicy wine that pairs well with food; promising aging potential.

92 Points Blaufränkisch Kalk & Schiefer Leithaberg DAC 2022
Deep ruby-garnet color with violet highlights and a delicate lightening at the rim. Hints of cranberries, subtle herbal notes, and pickled cherries. Juicy and elegant, with more red forest berries, fine tannins, minerality, and a lingering finish; a lively, engaging style that pairs well with a variety of dishes.

A 96-point rating for one of our wines for the first time – an award that fills us with pride!

All tasting notes at a glance:

96 Blaufränkisch Ried Reisbühl Leithaberg DAC 2021
Strong color core, intense, complex aromas, dark chocolate, blackberry, cassis, cedar notes, candied orange, full-bodied, dense and taut, very fine tannins on the finish, long lasting, cranberry and kumquat in the back aroma, potential.

95 Chardonnay Ried Tatschler Leithaberg DAC 2021
Pale golden yellow, pronounced, complex aromas, pink grapefruit, kumquat, full-bodied, taut, dense, tight Chardonnay, fine tannins, long finish, tangerine and pear quince in the aftertaste, potential.

94+ Blaufränkisch Ried Föllikberg Leithaberg DAC 2021
Youthful, transparent color, intense nose, blackberry, verbena, juniper, full-bodied, dense and firm structure, fine tannin, long-lasting, blueberry and clove in the back aroma, potential.

93 Neuburger Tradition Leithaberg DAC 2023
Bright color, nuanced fruit, nutty spice, almonds, powerful wine, balanced texture, tight finish, papaya in the back aroma, long lasting.

92+ Blaufränkisch Kalk & Schiefer Leithaberg DAC 2011
Medium depth of color, complex nose, cranberry, cedar, dark chocolate, blackberry, full-bodied, harmonious drinking flow, fine-grained tannin, long fruity finish.

92+ Chardonnay Kalk & Schiefer Leithaberg DAC 2022
Bright color, youthful, intense fruit aromas, tangerine, physalis, stone fruit, full-bodied, balanced texture, fruity melt in the finish, good length.

92 Weissburgunder Alte Reben Leithaberg DAC 2023
Pale yellow, inviting fruit notes, peach, yellow apple, tangerine, powerful wine, balanced texture, fruity melt in the finish, long-lasting.

“The family winery run by Michael Kirchknopf has developed into a model business in recent years. The range of white and red wines is well structured and is offered under the Leithaberg DAC designation of origin. Michael Kirchknopf’s impressive winemaking philosophy is reflected in a well-balanced symbiosis of pointed site interpretation with a purposeful winemaker’s signature for authentic growths. Sustainability is a matter of course, as is a minimally invasive vinification method for both white and red wines. Spontaneous fermentation, whole-cluster pressing, malolactic fermentation and ageing on the lees take place either in steel tanks or in wooden barrels of various sizes. Sulphurization is only applied in very small doses shortly before bottling.

The focus in the white area is on the Burgundy varieties Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay and Neuburger, which demands a lot of care from the winemaker. The single-vineyard Chardonnay varieties impress in unison with plenty of structure and substance in the best terroir interpretation from the top sites in Kleinhöflein and Großhöflein. The plots in the Tatschler vineyard are located in the upper area with a higher proportion of limestone, which is reflected in the wine style of the Chardonnay with plenty of taut fruitiness and the finest finesse. The Blaufränkisch Ried Reisbühl, which represents Kirchknopf’s quality pyramid in the premium red segment, shines with authentic fruit clarity. Michael Kirchknopf shows that Merlot delivers excellent results on the slopes of the southernmost Leitha Mountains with a very fruity and pointed interpretation of the variety.”

★★★ Weissburgunder Alte Reben Leithaberg DAC 2023
Beguiling stone fruit nose, yellow peach, nut bread, incredibly juicy, taut fruit, pointed, smoky hints, fine acidity, harmonious, finishes with a lot of piquancy, great length.

★★★ Neuburger Tradition Leithaberg DAC 2022
Yellow-fruity entrée, ringed lime, light walnut, some bergamot, ripe apple, lots of extract, juicy, clear as a bell, powerful, nuanced, finely structured acid-fruit interplay, harmonious mid-palate, creamy finish, great varietal interpretation.

★★★ Chardonnay Kalk & Schiefer Leithaberg DAC 2022
Herbal-spicy nose, lots of juicy yellow fruit presence, ringlet, pear, harmonious with verve, slate-influenced characteristics, spicy finish, great length.

★★★★ Chardonnay Alte Reben Leithaberg DAC 2022
Fine exoticism on the nose, pineapple with a cool touch, yellow fruit, passion fruit, pink grapefruit, attractive tension, balanced, dense, lots of finesse, harmonious, compact into the long finish.

★★★★ Chardonnay Ried Tatschler Leithaberg DAC 2021
Fine brioche nose, orange zest, juicy and generous fruit, ripe fruit components, pineapple, lime zest, fine acid piquancy, multi-layered, substantial, perfectly structured, taut chalky impression, salty, long finish, great.

★★★ Merlot Alte Reben 2022
Leafy notes on the nose, juicy, wild berries, powerful, strong, straightforward style, spiciness complementing the fruit, juicy, tobacco notes, vital.

★★★ Blaufränkisch Kalk & Schiefer Leithaberg DAC 2021
Bouquet of cherry, delicately smoky, red berry aromas in a velvety style, juicy, vital, slate-like notes, Chinese pepper, transparent fruit, balanced, long.

★★★★ Blaufränkisch Ried Föllikberg Leithaberg DAC 2021
Red berry fruit piquancy, black cherry, peppery spice, dark fruity aromas, shows fruit charm in a cool impression, profound, from a single mold, seductive chocolate-cherry notes in the long finish.

★★★★★ Blaufränkisch Ried Reisbühl Leithaberg DAC 2021 – Vinaria TOP wine
Black cherry aromas, juicy wild berries, dark fruit with lots of finesse, fine texture, perfectly structured, delicate tobacco notes, profound, flows in calm and harmonious greatness, lots of potential, long.

“Michael Kirchknopf from Eisenstadt is one of the best Burgundy addresses in Burgenland today.” Many thanks for Peter Moser’s words of praise at this year’s Falstaff Burgundy Trophy! We are delighted to have won the trophy with our Neuburger Tradition Leithaberg DAC 2023 and second place in the Pinot Blanc category.

94 Chardonnay Ried Tatschler Leithaberg DAC 2022
Pale greenish yellow, silver reflections. Fine, smooth tropical fruit, delicate mango and yellow apple, a hint of fresh orange zest, fine blossom honey, delicate apricot. Complex, juicy, elegant, subtle fruit sweetness, fine acidity, mineral, long-lasting, shows length and definite ageing potential.

92 Chardonnay Alte Reben Leithaberg DAC 2022
Pale greenish yellow, silver reflections. Fine yellow apple fruit, delicate mango, candied orange zest, some blossom honey. Full-bodied, juicy, sweet fruit core, elegant style, balanced and already easy to drink, shows length and ageing potential.

92 Chardonnay Kalk & Schiefer Leithaberg DAC 2022
Pale golden yellow, silver reflections. Fine yellow tropical fruit, hints of mango, some peach, floral touch, a hint of orange zest. Medium body, juicy, ripe pear, subtle fruit sweetness, mineral and well persistent, delicately salty, blossom honey in the aftertaste, a versatile food companion.

92 Neuburger Tradition Leithaberg DAC 2023
Pale greenish yellow, silver reflections. Fresh pear fruit with a hint of lime, mineral and smoky undertones. Complex, tightly woven and freshly structured, delicately nutty aromas, white pomaceous fruit on the finish, good persistence, appears light-footed, already easy to drink.

92 Weissburgunder Alte Reben Leithaberg DAC 2023
Pale golden yellow, silver reflections. Fine yellow tropical fruit, some blossom honey and candied orange zest, inviting bouquet. Medium body, ripe white apple, fine acidity structure, elegant and persistent, a versatile food companion.

Falstaff awards us the 3rd star and gives us great ratings across the board for our current series!

94 Chardonnay Ried Tatschler Leithaberg DAC 2021
Medium greenish yellow, silver reflections. Fine herbal spice, ripe quinces, underlaid with yellow apple and mango, orange touch. Juicy, powerful and elegant, creamy texture, fine acidity, yellow stone fruit and some blossom honey on the finish, lingers well, mineral aftertaste, sure aging potential.

92 Chardonnay Kalk & Schiefer Leithaberg DAC 2022
Pale golden yellow, silver reflections. Delicate yellow tropical fruit, hints of mango, floral touch, a hint of orange zest. Medium body, ripe pear, subtle fruit sweetness, mineral and well persistent, delicately salty, blossom honey in the aftertaste.

93 Neuburger Tradition Leithaberg DAC 2022
Pale straw yellow, silver reflections. Delicate notes of walnut and cookie, Good Luise pear, fine meadow herbs, inviting bouquet. Complex, nuances of juicy yellow tropical fruit, fine acidity, dark minerality, salty finish, a finely spiced food companion with ageing potential.

94 Blaufränkisch Ried Föllikberg Leithaberg DAC 2021
Strong ruby garnet, violet reflections, delicate edge brightening. Fresh meadow herbs, delicate notes of currants, a hint of wild berry confit, subtle wood nuances. Juicy, elegant, fine structure, sweet tannin, blackberry notes on the finish, good food companion with ageing potential.

94 Blaufränkisch Ried Reisbühl Leithaberg DAC 2021
Dark ruby garnet, violet reflections, delicate edge brightening. Dark forest berry confit, delicate spice, a hint of cassis and orange peel, floral touch, attractive bouquet. Juicy, firm, fine, well-integrated tannin structure, mineral-salty, dark forest berry confit on the finish, versatile.

92 Blaufränkisch Kalk & Schiefer Leithaberg DAC 2021
Strong ruby garnet, violet reflections, delicate edge brightening. Fine tobacco spice, hints of herbs and orange zest, fresh, animating bouquet. Juicy, elegant, fine acid structure, mineral, cherry fruit on the finish, salty-lemony aftertaste, already easy to drink.

Under the title “From celebrated novelty to dwindling rarity”, Vinaria dedicates its latest issue to Neuburger and presents the results of the extensive tasting. With 3rd place, our Neuburger Tradition Leithaberg DAC 2021 achieved a top rating and was able to secure a place on the top list of Austrian Neuburgers. “The almost classic Neuburger Tradition shone with expression, balance and slender elegance.”

Article at Vinaria

This year’s Burgundy Trophy brought us a great result: variety winner in the Pinot Blanc 2022 category with our Pinot Blanc Alte Reben Leithaberg DAC and several other top ratings for our Chardonnays and Neuburger!

Vintage 2022

92 Punkte Weissburgunder Alte Reben 2022
Light yellow-green, silver reflections. Yellow apple fruit, delicate blossom honey, a hint of guava, delicate lemon balm, inviting bouquet. Juicy, elegant, sweet extracts of pears, lingers well, salty aftertaste, already easy to drink.

92 Punkte Neuburger Tradition Leithaberg DAC 2022
Medium golden yellow, silver reflections. Fresh yellow tropical fruit, nuances of pineapple and peach, a hint of lychee and white currants, candied mandarin zest and blossom honey in the background. Juicy, silky, delicately fruity-sweet texture, fine acid core, mineral, a hint of ripe peach on the finish.

Vintage 2021

92 Punkte Chardonnay Kalk & Schiefer Leithaberg DAC 2021
Pale yellow-green, silver reflections. Fine herbal notes, delicate apple, floral touch, white stone fruit, floral touch. Juicy, taut, fresh acid structure, mineral, light-footed, lemony touch, sweet extract on the finish, lingers well, versatile.

93 Punkte Chardonnay Alte Reben Leithaberg DAC 2021
Medium golden yellow, silver reflections. Fine herbal spice, a hint of orange zest, tightly woven bouquet, hints of blossom honey. Juicy, elegant, fine acid structure, mineral, white tropical fruit, remains very persistent, will benefit from bottle ageing.

94 Punkte Chardonnay Ried Tatschler Leithaberg DAC 2021
Bright golden yellow, green reflections. Fine notes of tobacco and herbs, papaya and pineapple, a hint of blossom honey, subtle reduction, multi-faceted bouquet. Juicy, elegant, complex acid structure, mineral, yellow apple fruit, lemony aftertaste, lingers very well, multi-layered food companion with potential.