An Evening with Winemaker Franz Strohmeier
We invite you to join us for a very special evening with winemaker Franz Strohmeier, one of Austria’s most fascinating natural winemakers. Franz’s journey into the world of wine began at a young age when his father transformed their fields by replacing fruit and nut trees with Blauer Wildbacher vines—a change that would spark a lifelong passion for both wine and land conservation.
From the steep hills of West Styria, Franz has cultivated his 10-hectare vineyard at the meeting point of the South-Eastern Alps and the Adriatic foothills, where sun-drenched days and cool mountain air create the perfect environment for his wines. However, Franz’s journey is not just about the land; it’s about a philosophy rooted in deep respect for nature. In 2003, he transitioned to organic farming, and by 2007, he launched his TLZ (Trauben, Lieben, Zeit) line—wines that are made without any additives, sulfites, or interference, following biodynamic principles.
What sets Franz’s wines apart is his unwavering commitment to minimal intervention and his belief in the symbiotic relationship between nature and wine. For Franz, making wine isn’t about forcing a process; it’s about allowing nature to work its magic. If disease strikes, he will often remove the affected vine and replace it with a tree—trusting this will help promote biodiversity and the overall health of the vineyard.
In collaboration with our friends at @iscawines and @newcomer_wines, Chefs Sam Buckley and Tom Britton will prepare an à la carte menu inspired by the culinary traditions of Franz’s home region, while Franz himself will be pouring his wines and sharing his stories, offering insight into his low-intervention winemaking philosophy. During the meal, you’ll have the opportunity to try Franz’s stunning wines—ranging from sparkling wines to blends made with rare grape varieties like Blauer Wildbacher, Bronner, and Cabernet Jura. He will
Tickets are available at exploretock.com/WTLGI the link in our bio, and each booking includes a glass of Franz’s wine on arrival.
