# Silt Lieu Dit (2020)

- **Producer:** Weingut Rebenhof
- **Colour:** orange
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
- **Region:** Steiermark, Austria
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 11.5%
- **Average price:** €26
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** apple, pear, herbaceous, lemon, bread, butter, biscuit, dried apricot, honey, almond

## About this wine

Silt Lieu Dit is a remarkable natural orange wine crafted by Hartmut 'Harti' Aubell of Weingut Rebenhof, located in the steep hills of Südsteiermark, Austria. The estate is renowned for its uncompromising biodynamic practices. The name 'Silt' pays homage to the extremely fine, powdery silt soils of the Witscheiner Herrenberg vineyard, which force the vines to root deeply to find water and nutrients. This wine represents a pure, terroir-driven expression of Southern Styria, capturing the wild, mineral essence of the region without any modern cellar interventions.

## Interesting facts

- Grown on the extremely steep slopes of Witscheiner Herrenberg, featuring inclines of up to 75 percent.
- The estate is Demeter-certified biodynamic, practicing extremely low-intervention viticulture.
- Bottled completely unfiltered and unfined with zero added sulfur, showcasing a pure natural style.

## Food pairing

This skin-contact orange wine thrives alongside dishes that offer rich textures and earthy flavors. Its high acidity cuts through the fat of roasted pork or duck, while the light tannins from brief skin contact complement the savory depth of wild mushrooms and roasted root vegetables. The wine's mineral core and pronounced intensity ensure it is not overshadowed by complex, slow-cooked dishes.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process for Silt Lieu Dit is guided by low-intervention, biodynamic principles. Hand-harvested grapes undergo spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts. The fruit is subjected to a two-day skin and stem maceration, imparting a light amber hue and gentle phenolic structure. The Morillon (Chardonnay) component is aged in neutral French and Austrian oak barriques, while the Sauvignon Blanc portion ages in stainless steel. The wine is bottled completely unfiltered, unfined, and with zero added sulfur to preserve its raw, vibrant character.