Werlitsch, Freunde 2020

Werlitsch Freunde 2020 is an expressive, skin-contact blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay from the rolling hills of southern Styria, Austria. Crafted as an “orange wine” in the most authentic sense, it captures both the precision of the region’s white varieties and the depth and grip that come from extended skin maceration. This cuvée stands out as a characterful, food-friendly bottle that bridges the gap between classic Styrian whites and more adventurous natural wines.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Freunde 2020 shows a glowing amber to deep golden hue, with light haze typical of minimally filtered wines. The nose opens with ripe stone fruit—apricot, yellow plum and baked quince—layered with dried orange peel, chamomile, hay, beeswax and a subtle herbal note reminiscent of wild fennel and tarragon. As it opens, you’ll often find hints of bruised apple, honeycomb and a gentle, flinty minerality. On the palate, this is dry, textural and firmly structured, with fine, tea-like tannins from the extended skin contact. Flavors echo the aromas: baked apricot, preserved lemon, dried orchard fruit and a touch of bergamot, underscored by savory notes of nuts, spice and a salty, stony finish that clearly speaks of Styria’s limestone-rich soils. The acidity is lively but well integrated, giving the wine energy and length. Still youthful, the 2020 vintage has the concentration and structure to evolve beautifully over the next 5–8 years, developing more complexity and tertiary notes with careful cellaring.

Production
Freunde is sourced from Werlitsch’s steep, terraced vineyards in Südsteiermark, where vines dig deep into the region’s characteristic “Opok” soils—a mix of limestone, marl and clay that imparts both minerality and tension to the wines. The vineyards are farmed biodynamically, with a focus on soil health, biodiversity and manual work; harvesting is done by hand to ensure only perfectly ripe and healthy Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay grapes are selected. In the cellar, the fruit undergoes spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts on the skins, giving the wine its amber color and tannic backbone. Maceration typically extends for several weeks, followed by aging on the lees—often in large, neutral wooden casks—to add depth and texture without overt oak flavor. The wine is bottled with minimal intervention, usually unfined and unfiltered, and only a modest addition of sulfur if needed.

Food & Serving
Werlitsch Freunde 2020 is a versatile table wine that shines with richly flavored, textural dishes. It pairs beautifully with roasted poultry, pork belly, veal, or hearty vegetarian plates like roasted root vegetables, pumpkin risotto, wild mushroom dishes and aged hard cheeses. Its tannin and savory edge also work well with Middle Eastern or North African spiced cuisine, as well as umami-rich dishes such as miso-glazed vegetables or charred cauliflower. Serve at 12–14°C (54–57°F) to highlight both freshness and complexity. A 30–60 minute decant is recommended to allow the wine to open and soften its initial grip, especially if enjoyed in its youth.

Producer
Werlitsch is the estate of Ewald Tscheppe, one of the leading voices in biodynamic and natural winemaking in Austria’s Südsteiermark. Working steep hillside plots around the village of Leutschach, the estate has become a reference point for terroir-driven, long-lived wines that challenge conventional ideas of what Styrian white wine can be. Over the years, Werlitsch has earned a devoted following among sommeliers and collectors worldwide for its distinctive “Opok” bottlings and its pioneering work in skin-contact whites. The domaine’s commitment to biodynamics, low-intervention cellar work and an uncompromising expression of place has helped put Styria firmly on the map for serious, characterful natural wines.