The Princely Wines of Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein, a tiny country of less than 40 thousand people tucked between Austria and Switzerland is a royal harbor of Princely grapes, grown mostly for Pinot Noir wine. Liechtenstein is tucked like a nugget planted on the west side of Austria, (a five hour train ride to Vienna, which is on the northeastern side of Austria).

Country and vineyard locations

The Royal Princely family farms and also sources Riesling and Grüner Veltliner from their vineyard in Austria, northeast of Vienna, and vinifies varietal and blends of white wines with focused flavors and acidity to make them perfectly lip smacking to accompany spring gazing on their property or in your garden. Whether grown in Liechtenstein or in Austria, the grapes are organically grown with regenerative practices and fermented naturally with indigenous yeast to produce flavors directly from their respective terroirs and not from a commercial yeast which tend to produce generic flavors in the resulting wines. 

They make a more serious cuvée of the same varieties, crafted for long life in the bottle, and when I sampled the 2021, I felt the additional heft which can stand up to weightier foods and it’s richness lingers in my mouth. 

Soil composition and winery philosophy 

Locations and contact information 

You can visit either place and taste the wines in their vinothek or tasting room cellar. The Princely Wines of Liechtenstein property houses their residence dating back to the early 18th century when the royals acquired the county of Valduz with its vineyard and winery and established their home there. I haven’t visited, but tasting these wines and learning about the beauty, history and proximity to European hubs from estate director Stefan Tscheppe certainly entices me to go. There are other enticements in this country of only 62 square miles, like alpine villages and medieval castles. Throw in a Michelin starred restaurant on the princely property and I’m all in for the adventure. 

Wines I sampled

2020 Pinot Noir 

Michelin starred Restaurant Torkel

The Princely Wines of Liechtenstein website