Heinrich, a notable producer from Austria’s Burgenland region, made significant strides in 2014 by transitioning to a style that emphasizes elegance and natural winemaking techniques. At the VinNatur event in Paris in November 2025, I explored a selection of their wines with Adam Juruc, who crafts these wines alongside Gernot Heinrich.
Due to stringent Austrian wine regulations, many wines cannot display their region on the label, but I categorized them as Burgenland for contextual clarity.
Wine Selection
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Heinrich Oh When the Saints Pet Nat 2023: A vibrant Pet Nat made from St Laurent grapes picked in late August. This wine showcases a bright citrus character with a grapefruit nuance. Rating: 91/100
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Heinrich Into the Light White Blaufrankisch 2023: Crafted from free-run juice, this wine initially appears rosé before pressing begins. It offers notes of apple, pear, and peach, combined with a mineral reduction. Rating: 93/100
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Heinrich Weysse Freiheit 2023: As Heinrich’s first zero-zero wine, consisting of 80% Pinot Blanc and 20% Chardonnay, it showcases a lively profile with a bright and fresh character, enriched by powerful minerality and depth. Rating: 95/100
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Heinrich Naked Orange NV: This large-volume wine combines various grapes, including Chardonnay and Roter Traminer, fermented on skins for about two weeks. Its juicy and eloquent flavor profile includes hints of marmalade. Rating: 93/100
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Heinrich Roter Traminer Freyheit 2022: Initially bottled in ceramic, now moving to glass, this wine features a vibrant taste of rose petals, orange peel, and a captivating finish. Rating: 93/100
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Heinrich Out of the Dark Blaufrankisch 2023: This pale-colored wine is semi-carbonic and whole-bunch fermented, presenting an elegant blend of red fruit with a juicy, fine texture. Rating: 94/100
Older Notes from 2024
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Heinrich Leithaberg Blaufrankisch 2019: This wine features striking aromatics and a rich palate of black cherry and raspberry, with notable density and spice. Rating: 94/100
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Heinrich Ried Alterberg Leithaberg Blaufrankisch 2019: A complex wine aged in amphora and 500-liter barrels, offering a lively mix of blackcurrant fruit and a pronounced mineral character. Rating: 95/100
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Heinrich Ried Engelgraben Leithaberg Blaufränkisch 2019: With extended aging, this wine showcases elegant black fruits, gravelly notes, and a refined minerality—a truly intriguing expression of the variety. Rating: 95/100
For a deeper dive into Heinrich’s journey and philosophy on winemaking, check out the full story in a previous article.