A KIND OF WINE 04

JUNE 14TH 2025

ABOUT THE WINE

Werlitsch A KIND OF WINE 04 2023 is a natural white wine defined by quiet depth and subtle energy. Harvested slightly later than the main picking from over
50-year-old vineyards, it reflects the uniqueness of a small-yield vintage.

Gentle fruit notes unfold with clarity, supported by a juicy texture and soft structure. Unfiltered and unfined, it’s a wine that feels honest, grounded, and patient: a calm expression of Welschriesling and place.

The wine originates from biodynamically farmed vineyards in southern Styria, Austria. The grapes were hand harvested during a rare second picking, a deviation from the norm made possible by the strength of old vines.

After direct pressing, the juice fermentedspontaneously with native yeasts and underwent full malolactic fermentation. It was aged for 14 months on fine lees in neutral oak barrels and bottled without intervention. Each bottle is sealed by hand with a soft wax capsule, highlighting the artisanal nature of this small-batch release.

STYLE
Juicy: Soft fruit expression with a smooth, mouthfilling texture.
Honest: No filtration, no additives: just vineyard, vintage, and time.
Subtle: Calm and composed, with delicate fruit tones over bold aromatics.

explore the product here

ABOUT THE WINERY

WERLITSCH is more than just a winery. It’s a hillside, a family, a rhythm of working with nature rather than against it. Founded by Ewald Tscheppe in the rolling slopes of southern Styria, Werlitsch has become a quiet pioneer of biodynamic winemaking in Austria. With just nine hectares of steep,
limestone-rich vineyards near the Slovenian border, everything here is done by hand, from vine training to harvest.

The old vines, planted over 50 years ago, are grown in traditional overhang systems, allowing them to thrive in a wild and living canopy. Farming here follows Demeter-certified biodynamic principles, rooted in patience, trust, and deep observation of the land. The wines are not made — they are guided. Spontaneous fermentation, aging on fine lees, and zero additives let each vintage speak for itself.

A KIND OF WINE 04 is a direct result of this philosophy: a rare second harvest from a strong old parcel in a year of challenges, bottled without compromise.

Read the interview with Ewald below!

1. What inspired you to pursue natural winemaking, and how does it align with your personal values?

I would say my values have evolved – and are still evolving – and naturally, my lifestyle and profession have aligned with them. For me, it's a logical consequence to learn to better understand the natural laws in and with nature, and to respond to them.

2. CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR APPROACH TO VINEYARD MANAGEMENT AND HOW IT FROM CONVENTIONAL METHODS?
I try to create a holistic, living system that sustains itself. Natural processes and cycles are acknowledged and integrated. It's a continuous learning process and who knows where we’ll be in 10 years. Healthy system, healthy food , that’s how I definE quality in simple terms.

3. WHAT CHALLENGES DO YOU FACE IN NATURAL WINEMAKING, AND HOW DO YOU OVERCOME THEM?

The biggest challenge is probably me. It’s about accepting what emerges as a finished product and not having expectations and that goes for the consumer too.

Neither my way of winemaking nor the conventional approach is easy. Challenges exist everywhere and are meant to be overcome. For me, it's about finding joy in the process and aligning that joy with my personal needs.
4. HOW DOES THE UNIQUE TERROIR OF YOUR VINEYARD INFLUENCE THE CHARACTER OF YOUR WINES?

To me, terroir encompasses all influences throughout the year and the entire process of creation. The weather, the soil, the plants, the location, the people, the animals and living beings, the region – simply everything.

All of it impacts and shapes the wine. The vine stores these influences, and we can sense them in the wine.

That’s also why I make wine naturally to let these elements come through more clearly and not be overshadowed by my personal idea of what something should be, even though that’s still a key factor.

5. HOW DO YOU BALANCE TRADITION AND INNOVATION IN YOUR WINEMAKING PROCESS?

Since I live and work in, with, and from nature, I would say that true innovation arises from a deeper understanding of natural laws.

I’m not opposed to modern developments around wine, as long as they are in harmony with nature. If they are, I gladly embrace them.
6. WHAT MAKES THE A KIND OF WINE 04 SO SPECIAL?

This wine matured in a small, neutral oak barrel and exudes a sense of calm and serenity.

Once opened, its delicate aromas begin to evolve and intensify. This aromatic play peaks only on the second or third day, a clear indicator of the wine’s youth and its aging potential in the bottle.

I love this unpretentious simplicity – in the most positive sense – which makes it a perfect everyday companion, ideal for a light lunch or a warm afternoon on the terrace.

This special bottling, combined with the beautiful label design, definitely makes the wine unique. Creating it truly brought me joy.

7. WHAT WOULD YOU PAIR A KIND OF WINE 04 WITH?

I would serve this wine with light dishes like pasta or vegetarian meals. It would also pair beautifully with small snacks or simply be enjoyed on its own.

ABOUT THE LABEL

The label is designed by Nicolas Yuthanan Chalmeau, a French-Thai artist whose work bridges cultural memory, ritual, and contemporary expression. With roots in both France and Thailand, his creative language is deeply shaped by symbols of transformation, particularly the traditional masks of his childhood, which continue to inform his visual world.
For this wine, Yuthanan chose a mask that speaks in layers. It draws from ancestral forms and mythic iconography. His design reflects the duality found in both masks and wine: one hides to reveal, the other reveals through taste. The textured, hand-drawn aesthetic complements the wine’s own purity and craft: unfiltered, honest, and shaped by nature.
More than just visual detail, the mask sets the tone: quiet on the surface, but full of story — much like the wine itself.