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We begin by tasting the «Herrnbaumgarten» from 2022, a cuvée of Riesling and Grüner Veltliner. It comes from the cellar in Wilfersdorf in the Weinviertel, the northeastern part of Lower Austria. The area’s characteristic loess-sandy soils with chalk content are reminiscent of Burgundy, yielding lively and sparkling wines. With a total of 30 hectares, the Prince's vineyards here are almost ten times larger than those in Vaduz.

«We don't want to make screaming wines», Tscheppe explains. And indeed, the «Herrnbaumgarten» presents a cheeky tension of subtle exotic fruits with a salty-mineral counterpoint: «A modern, sparkling, and easy-to-drink wine that simply brings joy,» says the inventor of the cuvée.

95+ Points

Next, we sample a «Ried Karlsberg Cuvée» from 2021. This limited production of 3,100 bottles uses the same grape varieties, this time from old vines and slightly aged in wood. This gives the structure significantly more strength and sustainability, and the aroma is reminiscent of excellent Burgundy products. In the current «A la Carte Wein-Guide Austria 2024,» this cuvée received an outstanding 95+ points.


One step up: «Ried Karlsberg Cuvée». (Image: Courtesy)

The tasting then shifts to Chardonnay: the «Leithaberg DAC Chardonnay 2021» reveals aromas of citrus and exotic fruits, with subtle smoky notes on the nose. On the palate, the freshness and minerality of the chalky soils are complemented by interesting buttery influences and a very long finish.

Lively Acidity, Interesting Minerality

Stefan Tscheppe concludes the white wine section with one of the Prince's favorite wines from his own production, the «Ried Karlsberg Riesling Privat 2021». It presents full-bodied, complex, and elegant. The typical lively acidity meets interesting minerality, fruity notes reminiscent of apricot, and a touch of petrol. «A Riesling with aging potential of 20 years, I would estimate,» comments Stefan Tscheppe.

The last wine we sample is the «Herawingert 2021» produced here in Vaduz. Stefan Tscheppe tells us he only has a few bottles left in his personal reserve. It is still very young, with pronounced tannins. Up front, wonderful aromas of red berries unfold with a hint of smoke. The wine promises to reach its full potential in a few years.

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Rare Pinot Noir: Vaduz-made «Herawingert 2021». (Image: Courtesy)

The new oenological signature of the Princely Cellar certainly holds many exciting surprises. The modernization of the range is progressing and positively noticeable in the glass. «With our wines, we want to provide the best possible testimony of grape variety, vintage, and terroir. And I also count the people who make the wines as part of the terroir,» explains Tscheppe.

Gift for LGT Clients

How does the professional world react to the innovations from Vaduz and the Weinviertel? «Overall, very positively,» says Stefan Tscheppe. The Princely Wine Cellars have successfully positioned various wines of the Princely Cellar in top gastronomy, even in the USA and Asia. For instance, the cuvée we first tasted is offered by the glass at the five-star «Fouquet's» in New York.

Products from the cellar also appear on the wine lists of the three-star restaurant «Masa» (New York), «N Naka» in Los Angeles (2 Michelin stars), the «Hotel Bellevue Palace» in Bern, the «Mandarin Oriental» in Hong Kong and the private wine club «67 Pall Mall» in Singapore.

Liechtenstein's embassies and consulates around the world, which used to simply order the cheapest wines, are now increasingly opting for the top products. LGT hosts its events with the Princely wines, gifting them to their clients. Today, the Princely wines are the most important customer gift – ahead of chocolate. «Many of their clients become our clients, too.»

Deserved Price Increases

However, the pricing policy has been very restrained so far. «For objectively better wines, we still charge about the same price as before.» This will change in the foreseeable future. For the  «Herawingert,» they are aiming for around 60 francs per bottle (previously: 45 francs). «We had to earn the higher prices first,» says Stefan Tscheppe.

The future chapters in the centuries-long history of the Princely Cellar promise to be fascinating.

In Asia, the wines of the Princely Wine Cellars of the Prince of Liechtenstein are distributed:

  • Hong Kong: Jebsen Wines & Spirits, 28 Yun Ping Road, Causeway Bay / 28/F, Lee Garden Two. Phone +852 29262005
  • Singapore: Bound by Wine and Ares Konsultant (trader), 120 Tembeling Road, Singapore 423619. Phone +65 9889 5184
  • Japan: AWA INC (Austria World Association Inc.), 2-14 Takatsuka-cho, Nishinomiya-shi, 662-0066 Hyogo-ken. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Taiwan: Anguila Amex Global Inc. Taiwan Branch, 17F.-2, No. 98, Shizheng N. 7th Rd., Xitun Dist., Taichung City 407025, Taiwan. Phone +886-4-22543777. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.