Weingut Tement Südsteiermark The Tement winery has recorded an increasing success in the last three decades. Manfred Tement has steadily expanded his business. He has always been committed to producing high-quality wines, that in the meantime enjoy national and international reputation. The winery is situated in Berghausen, Südsteiermark (Southern Styria), on a small mountain plateau above the single vineyard ZIEREGG. Visitors and guests will enjoy the breathtaking panoramic view of the neighbouring country Slovenia as well as of parts of Eastern Styria. Tement winery above the single vineyard ZIEREGG The sons Armin and Stefan represent the third generation of the family winery. Both strive to continue their parents work with the same quality awareness and sense for tradition. Together with their father Manfred they share the aim to focus in the future even more on origin accentuated wines with natural finish and strong originality gained by sustainable vineyard management combined with low harvest yields. Family portrait: Heidi and Manfred Tement with the sons Armin (left) and Stefan (right)
Family Tement shares the philosophy that only grapes from own cultivation and production are the basis for exceptional wines. In recent years the family winery has continuously extended its vineyard area and is currently cultivating 80 hectares in Austria. The most important single vineyard ZIEREGG comprises 14 hectares, the single vineyard SULZ some 20 hectares and GRASSNITZBERG 10 hectares. The grapes from SERNAU (2.5 hectares), HOCHKITTENBERG (8 hectares), WIELITSCH and STEINBACH are also used to produce wines with unique characteristics. Single-vineyards SERNAU (left) and GRASSNITZBERG (right) The main grape variety grown is Sauvignon Blanc, which makes up 60% of all vines planted. But also other varieties typical of the region such as Welschriesling, Gelber Muskateller, Morillon/Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc (Weissburgunder) and Gewürztraminer are grown by the family. The white wines account for 96% of the total production, red wines like Blauer Zweigelt or Pinot Noir contribute 3% and sweet wines represent 1%. Among the white wines the Tement winery differentiates between three categories. First there are the Branded Cuvees (15 % of the total portfolio). Second are estate wines Steirische Klassik STK which contribute with a percentage of 60 the majority of the Tement portfolio. Last but not least the village and single vineyard wines STK represent the top of the portfolio and contribute 25 % in total. The average yield per hectare depends on the variety and the category. For terroir, village and single-vineyard wines the average yield is between 3000 and 3500 litres per hectare, for wines of the category estate wines Steirische Klassik STK the average yield is between 4000 to 4500 litres/ha and for the branded cuvées it is between 5000 and 5500 litres. The vinification process is very traditional and region specific and can either take place in stainless steel tanks or in neutral oak casks. Wines of the Tement portfolio are always dominated and reflected by its origin. White wine portfolio Tement The product line of the Branded Cuvées consists of the TEMENTO series which is fresh and fruity in taste. On the other hand also the L&T Welschriesling belongs to this category which is the leading variety of Styria. The Welschrieling is famous for its animating freshness and distinctive fruitiness. Wines of this category are vinified in stainless steel tanks.
The designation Gutswein (estate wine) Steirische Klassik stands for fresh and fruity white wines that represent the region Südsteiermark (South Styria). Typical Styrian grape varieties from different single vineyards are used to produce these wines that are mainly vinified in stainless steel tanks. Environmentally sustainable vineyard management, low yield crops and harvesting by hand describe the production process of these wines. Sauvignon Blanc is the most important grape variety of the winery, followed by Gelber Muskateller and Pinot Blanc (Weissburgunder). Estate wines Steirische Klassik STK may be brought to market at the earliest on March 1 of the year after being harvested and are ideal to drink in the first five years. STK is a registered trademark of ten Styrian wine estates (www.stk-wein.at). Village and single vineyard wines STK are the top of the Tement portfolio as they are obtained from fully matured grapes from the most important single vineyards of the family. They are fermented slowly and mature in neutral oak barrels until they are ready for bottling. Terroir wines exhibit independence as well as area-typical character and show great ageing potential. Besides they are famous for its elegance, balance and puristic minerality. They may be brought to market at the earliest on May 1 after six months of ageing. Grapes for both Gutswein (estate wine) Steirische Klassik STK and village and single vineyard wines STK are harvested by hand with great care in order to maintain highest quality. Concerning the grapes, Tement winery is highly selective and avoids picking botrytis affected ones. Stainless steel tanks and big oak casks To make a long story short, the name Tement is synonymous with first-class Styrian wines from young and fresh wines to full-bodied ones that can be stored for a long time.
In the last years the Tement winery planted Sauvignon Blanc vines on the Slovenian territory Ciringa, which is part of their best single-vineyard Zieregg in Austria. The combination of the microclimate and the rich shell limestone soil with cambisol provides ideal conditions for accentuated, long-living, authentic and mineralic Sauvignon Blanc. As distinctive sign of origin the name of this Slovenian winery is DOMAINE CIRINGA, the wine is called Fosilni Breg (which means fossils mountain). The market launch was in 2009. Like the Austrian Tement wines also this Slovenian newcomer will be produced according to highest quality requirements. The label on the Burgundy bottle shows a sea star fossil (found in the single vineyard Ciringa) and should demonstrate the origin and the balance of this mineralic and straightforward Sauvignon Blanc. Shell limestone soil (left), single vineyard Ciringa (middle), fossils found at single vineyard Ciringa
NEWS In spring 2013 of our newly renovated wine maker appartements WINZAREI opened. At the highest point of our best single vineyard ZIEREGG we renovated two stone wine maker houses with high attention to detail. All in all the houses give space for six exclusive and comfortable apartments. For more information please visit www.winzarei.at In the last year the Magnothek & Wirtshaus on top of the single vineyard Zieregg has become a regional anchor for fine and traditional dishes. Family Wetzelhütter serves delicious highlights famous for the region like Backhendl (fried chicken). During their stay guests can also visit the big bottle vinotheque of Manfred Tement. www.magnothek.at Offspring Johann Josef Manfred saw the light of the day in October 2012. Armin and Monika are the proud parents that juggle between vineyards, wine cellar, nursery and office. Single vineyard ZIEREGG with view to Magnothek and Winzarei