When Franz Prager co-founded the Vinea Wachau in 1983, he had already established a reputation as one of Austria’s best winemakers. The marriage of Franz’s daughter, Ilse, to Dr. Toni Bodenstein in the 1990s was the catalyst for sweeping renaissance at the winery. Bodenstein, a biologist, geologist and historian, spent years studying the geology of the region and focused much of his attention on preserving genetic diversity. His “Arche Noah” project, a planting of old Grüner Veltliner and Riesling clones is the result of his work. Bodenstein’s scholarly approach, passion for biodiversity, and brilliant winemaking has elevated Prager to the highest echelon of Austrian wine producers.Hinter der Burg is an important “calling card” wine for the winery and showcases Prager’s stylistic signature of aromatic complexity coupled with power and nervosity. High-density planting and long hang times ensure ripeness and power while practices such as allowing leaves to shade the fruit allow for vibrant aromatics of grasses, herbs and wildflowers.