Sommer is a winery located in the Leithaberg region of Burgenland, Austria, with a substantial 30 hectares of vines. The winery recently transitioned to the next generation, led by Leo and Kathrin Sommer, who officially took over in 2023. Their approach emphasizes a focus on terroir and low-intervention winemaking, which has been evolving even before their official handover.
I had the opportunity to taste some of their wines with Leo Sommer during events in May 2024 and July 2023, where the wines displayed a lively and vibrant character.
Tasting Notes
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Sommer Pet Nat Riesling 2023: Made in stainless steel, this wine retains some residual sugar before being bottled. It showcases a bright citrus profile and lively freshness, earning a score of 90/100.
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Sommer Handwerk Riesling 2022: With a blend of schist, gneiss, and quartz from southeast-facing slopes, this wine is raised in large oak, acacia, and concrete. It’s fresh, textured, and fruity with a slightly salty finish, rated 93/100.
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Sommer Handwerk Riesling 2021: This unfiltered and unfined wine hails from the hilly western part of the Neusiedlersee region. It presents fine mineral notes and a beautifully integrated acid structure, rated 94/100.
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Sommer Handwerk Welschriesling 2022: Fermented on skins for two days, it’s lively and complex with a citrus core and hints of creaminess. It is richly textured and earned a score of 93/100.
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Sommer Handwerk Sauvignon Blanc 2021: This wine impresses with bold fruit flavors combined with herbal and anise notes. It’s fresh and slightly creamy, achieving a 94/100 rating.
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Sommer Handwerk Sauvignon Blanc 2020: Exhibiting crystalline textures with white peach and citrus notes, the wine is fresh and precise with a lovely tapering finish, scoring 94/100.
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Sommer Handwerk Traminer 2022: After 11 days of fermentation, this wine reveals a complex, spicy character with a salty profile and intense fruit, rated 94/100.
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Sommer Little Sister Grüner Veltliner 2022: This wine is bright and stony with lemon and pear fruit, well focused at 94/100.
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Sommer Halser Grüner Veltliner 2022: Fermented in large oak barrels, it has a stylish peppery profile and finishes juicy and fresh, earning an impressive score of 95/100.
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Sommer Leithaberg Blaufrankisch 2021: A blend of whole bunches and aged in amphora and oak, this wine is fresh and grippy with good acidity, rated 94/100.
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Sommer Sal Und Rauch Blaufrankisch NV: A blend from 2021 and 2022, this wine is textured and resolved with beautiful cherry and berry fruit, achieving 94/100.
For more information, visit the winery’s website: Sommer Wines