Kollektiv Peternell
Burgenland, Austria

Kollektiv Peternell emerged in 2019 from a collaboration between friends Paul Schuster, Simon Ecker & Dave Ferris. While Schuster & Ecker have familial ties to the Petronell-Carnuntum region, Schuster met Ferris during the 2018 harvest with Partida Creus in Catalonia. Together, they have also collectively gained notable winemaking experience in Languedoc-Roussillon at Domaine Matassa & in Franconia at 2Naturkiner.

Their connection to the region of Petronell-Carnuntum in Lower Austria is echoed through their labels, depicting the village's still standing Roman ruins of 'Heidentor' & the long extinct woolly rhino, 'Hundsheim Nashorn' a mystical beast once native to the area.

For the founding trio, Kollektiv Peternell remains a 'pas de deux' with their day jobs: Ferris manages 'RundBar' in Vienna - a bright beacon for the avant garde sect of viniculture founded by Austria's champion importer Mortiz Herzog, Schuster choreographing culinary delights at the famed 'Jeanne' in Antibes (France), and Ecker tending bar in a Vienna nocturnal haven.

The previous year marked the acquisition of 2 new leased vineyards in Neusiedl, specifically Sauerbrunn & Seefeld. Throughout the growing season, the team assume full responsibility for its cultivation, seizing the opportunity to strengthen their ties to the wines they produce.

The year 2022 ushered in a new chapter, prompting them to explore vineyards surrounding their new-found cellar in Gols, Burgenland. Located in the eastern part of Lower Austria - a short 50 minute drive south-east of Vienna adjacent to the Hungarian border - is renowned for its vibrant winemaking culture - fertile ground for innovative & emerging producers.

The climate here is governed by the Pannonian Plain, providing a continental climate oscillating between scorching summers & frigid winters. The proximity to Lake Neusiedl tempers these extremes, elongating the grape's sojourn on the vine.

Divided into four main sub-regions: Neusiedlersee, Mittelburgenland, Südburgenland & Leithaberg. Each locale contributing distinct characteristics to the wines produced. A patchwork of mineral-driven soils, ranging from gravel to loam, limestone to schist, defines Burgenland's terroir. This geological mosaic shapes the nuanced flavours & characteristics etched in its wines.

Kollektiv Peternell's gaze lingers predominantly on Neusiedlersee, ensconced around Lake Neusiedl, and Mittelburgenland, the veritable "Blaufränkischland," sculpting high-quality reds of undeniable energy.

Burgenland has witnessed a surge in organics & biodynamics, fostering a holistic approach that amplifies terroir expression. This dedication to sustainability reinforces the region’s reputation for crafting terroir-driven, high-quality wines. With an emphasis on lo-fi processes, Kollektiv Peternell embody a commitment to wines that authentically capture the true essence of time & place.

Encompassing a palette of Grüner Veltliner, Blaufrankisch, Syrah, Merlot, Welschriesling, Goldmusketeller, Zweigelt, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris & Saint Laurent; Kollektiv Peternell's grapes hum to the rhythm of organic/biodynamic farming within a dry-grown embrace.

Kollektiv Peternell's approach challenges conventions in Austria & Central Europe. Vinified with zero additions & remain unfiltered; in defiance of the prevailing pursuit of maximum ripeness & aversion to stem inclusion, they embrace wholecluster maceration for whites, skin-macerated wines & slender reds, with a focus on minimal extraction, creating a distinctive expression of the region. Purity being the core foundation of what they love & do.