Himmelstiege Grüner Veltliner Smaragd

The Himmelstiege comes from one of the steepest slopes in the Wachau — a Grüner Veltliner that makes the tension between alpine freshness and Pannonian warmth palpable in the glass.

Domäne Wachau is a winegrowers' cooperative with around 200 members who together cultivate over 440 hectares in the iconic terraced vineyards between Spitz and Krems. The Smaragd classification—named after the green lizard native to the vineyards—represents the highest level of ripeness in the Wachau wine region: fully ripe grapes, mostly from old vines on steep slopes, with a minimum must weight and corresponding depth.

In the glass, the Himmelstiege displays ripe mango and green apple, along with a distinct citrus note and the typical white pepper of Grüner Veltliner on the finish. The acidity is present but integrated—not an angular wine, but one with texture and length.

• Temperature: 10–12 °C
• Dishes: Wiener Schnitzel, pike-perch fillet with beurre blanc, asparagus or goat cheese
• Drinking window: now until 2028