Principles worth committing to.
Shared values. Clear boundaries.
About Us4 min read
AuthorMichael Tischler-Zimmermann
About Us
4 min read
AuthorMichael Tischler-Zimmermann
Origins can be identified. Understanding them is the real challenge. The ÖTW have dedicated themselves to precisely this task: not with fanfare, but with consistency. What unites them is not a shared logo, but a shared ethos. And a willingness to ask the tough questions that come with it.
The vineyard as the starting point
The vineyard is at the heart of everything we do. As the most precise unit of provenance, it serves as the benchmark for everything the ÖTW does. An "Erste Lage" designation is not determined by personal preference or tradition; it is the result of a structured process involving historical research, sensory evaluation and a collective decision. Anyone who supports this system accepts the principle of comparability. And that is precisely the aim.
"What fascinates me about this association is that it brings together people who could hardly be more different, yet who all believe in the same thing: that the place where a wine comes from makes all the difference."
Responsibility that becomes visible
The ÖTW takes responsibility. Towards its own vineyards, towards the history of the regions, and towards an international audience that is seeking guidance and deserves it. Events such as the Single Vineyard Summit in Grafenegg or the regional Tour de Vin events bring this approach to life. Not as a platform for individual estates, but as a framework that places provenance within a broader context.
ÖTW Members
91
The ÖTW brings together 91 member estates from the major wine-growing regions of Lower Austria and Vienna.
ÖTW Erste Lagen
145
145 of the finest vineyard sites have been classified by the ÖTW as the best and most distinctive in Austria.
At the same time, the ÖTW sees itself as an open project. New regions can join this journey if they share the same values. Expansion is not an end in itself. What matters is a shared vision: that the wine’s origin remains recognisable, no matter how diverse the styles may be.
No club. No deadlock.
What the ÖTW is not: a loose association of interested parties with no binding commitments. Nor is it an exclusive club that defines itself through exclusion. The association thrives on the active involvement of its members and on the fact that its criteria are not set in stone, but are continually developed. Stagnation would be at odds with its own principles.
A foundation and the courage to take a fresh look
The ÖTW serve as a benchmark within the Austrian wine industry because they set their own rules and adhere to them. This requires discipline. And a willingness to engage in discussions, even when they become uncomfortable. That is precisely what constitutes their strength: the combination of historical roots and the courage to constantly take a fresh look at things.
About the author
Michael Tischler-Zimmermann
ÖTW Managing Director
Michael Tischler-Zimmermann has been Managing Director of ÖTW since 1 March 2024.
He previously held senior positions at the Austrian Wine Marketing Board for more than seven years. Before that, he was responsible for marketing and sales at the winery Weszeli, an ÖTW member estate in the Kamptal.
What fascinates him about his work is how much potential lies in a detailed exploration of provenance. Today, Krems is both his home and the headquarters of the Association of ÖTW.
Contact
Emailmtz@oetw.at
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