Barbara Öhlzelt 'Grüner Leader' Grüner Veltliner, Kamptal, Austria 2024

Barbara Öhlzelt, a one-woman operation based in Zöbing within the Kamptal region, farms her six hectares with precision and restraint. Her “Grüner Leader” expression is soft-spoken yet intense—delicate, precise Grüner Veltliner built for purity and energy.

• WINEMAKER: Barbara Öhlzelt

• FARMING: Practicing organic (no herbicides, hand-picked)

• VARIETY: 100% Grüner Veltliner, from vines averaging ~30 years old across multiple vineyard sites in Kamptal

• TERROIR: Sourced from a mosaic of vineyards in Kamptal—primarily Heiligenstein (sandstone), Seeburg (slate, sand, clay), and Kogelberg (granite, shale). Soils are deep and varied, yielding wines of stony minerality, crisp acidity, and refined structure.

• VINIFICATION: Grapes are hand-harvested and fermented exclusively in stainless steel to preserve freshness and varietal clarity.

• AGING: Racked off lees after fermentation and bottled without oak—pure stainless steel élevage.

• TASTING NOTES: Bright and energetic aromas of green apple, lemon, white peach, and jasmine tea. On the palate: lime zest and green pineapple acidity give way to a crisp, mineral-driven finish. Vivid and racy with remarkable poise.

• FOOD PAIRINGS: Oysters, crudités, fresh salads, grilled shrimp kebabs, or simply enjoyed for its ease and brightness.

• SCORES: 91 points – Vin Chicago (June 2025)

From our 2025 Bottle Cult Notes:

You know that person who doesn’t make a scene, but somehow shifts the whole room just by walking in? That’s this wine. It has undeniable energy you can’t look away from.

Barbara Öhlzelt is a one-woman force based in Zöbing, a small village in Austria’s Kamptal region. A former outsider to the wine world, she stepped in with her signature motto: Bon Courage! It’s a nod to the kind of quiet bravery it takes to carve your own path. Today, she farms just under seven hectares with precision, crafting some of the most elegant and energetic wines in the region. Her “Grüner Leader” may wear a cheeky name (yes, it’s a full liter), but what’s inside is all focus: crisp, bright, and buzzing with intention.

Drinking this lean green machine is like eating sour cream and onion chips with your bestie by the pool. It’s zesty, salty, a little indulgent, and surprisingly addictive. Grüner Leader is soft-spoken yet powerful, with citrusy lift, a clean mineral finish, and just enough body to keep things interesting. Is it Grüner? Is it Riesling? Is it Chablis? You keep going back to the glass trying to place it, and that’s part of the fun.

There’s a reason sommeliers crush on wines like this. It’s built for food. Think summer gazpacho, sardines with yuzu kosho, fish tacos, or fried chicken with fancy ranch. But it’s just as satisfying solo, especially on a warm afternoon with good conversation. And since it’s a liter bottle, there’s plenty to go around when the gossip starts getting good.

I don’t know Barbara personally, but I’d wager she gets it. Thoughtful wines don’t need to take themselves too seriously. All it takes is a crown cap, a large glass, and a group of friends who know when to pour just a little more.

 – Kaylee Daly, DECANT Napa Lead Sommelier