Nestled in the charming village of Rust, situated in the picturesque province of Burgenland, lies the renowned winery of Heidi Schröck. With a family history dating back to 1803, Heidi took over the reins of the winery in 1983, continuing the legacy of producing exceptional wines in this historic region.
The winery's location, just 5 miles from the Hungarian border, plays a crucial role in the production of their world-class wines. Heidi explains that the south-facing vineyards, set in a gently rolling landscape, create an amphitheater-like effect around Rust on Lake Neusiedl. This unique topography, coupled with the ideal combination of sandy soils mixed with clay and high calcium content, provides the perfect conditions for growing full-bodied and impressive wines.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions to the world of winemaking, Heidi was named "Falstaff Vintner of the Year" in 2003, a prestigious honor that only a handful of women have achieved. She has also been instrumental in reviving historic varietals such as Muscat-Lunel and Furmint from Hungary, while still working with classic Austrian varietals like Grauburgunder, Weissburgunder, and Welschriesling.
One of Heidi's most notable achievements is her role as the leader of Cercle Ruster Ausbruch, an organization dedicated to reintroducing the rare and highly coveted Ausbruch wine. Made from botrytized grapes, with a must weight between BA and TBA (138 Oechsle), Heidi's Ausbruch is a true representation of the traditional sweet wine that has not been produced since the 19th century.
Today, Heidi is joined by her twin sons, Johannes and Georg, who share her passion for winemaking. Together, they continue to produce classic Ruster wines while also exploring new varietals and winemaking techniques.
With a vineyard area of 10 hectares, the winery's top sites include Turner, Ruster, and Kulm. These sites boast a variety of soil types, including eroded primary rock, mica slate, limestone, and sandy loam, adding complexity and depth to the wines. The winery's grape varieties include Weissburgunder, Furmint, Muscat, Grauburgunder, Welschriesling, Zweigelt, and Blaufränkish, resulting in a diverse and exciting range of wines.
Heidi Schröck's family winery is a testament to the rich winemaking history of Rust and the province of Burgenland. With each bottle, Heidi and her family continue to uphold the tradition of producing exceptional wines that embody the unique terroir and character of this region.
