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The Beck winery is a family estate in Gols, in northern Burgenland near lake Neusiedl. Traditionally, there were small mixed farms in the area, but they always grew vines as part of the agricultural diversity. In 1975 Matthias Beck took over from his father and started to focus on wine only, they started with 5 ha. Today the Beck estate has 15 ha of vines. In 2001 Judith took over responsibility for the cellar after gaining experience in France, Italy and Chile. In 2007 the conversion to biodynamic viticulture was started.

If someone like Judith Beck lives not just according to a postal address, but actually amidst the vines, then you can be sure that she’s developed a deep relationship to her own vineyards. The most beautiful of these vines – she prefers the traditional varieties Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch, St. Laurent, Weissburgunder and Chardonnay – lie on the slopes and the hills of the Wagram. This is the name of the area of slopes which are, for the most part, sun-exposed and rise from the lowlands east of the Neusiedlersee to the so-called Parndorfer Platte.

The soils here are extremely diverse. In fact, a single vineyard alone can comprise humus, gravel, loam, limestone and minerals – the ideal basis for complex, multi-faceted wines that reflect their origin. Naturalness and identity are the features that Judith wants to see and to show in her wines. This approach is also a reason that she has been inspired by the ideas of Rudolf Steiner since 2007. That means she uses holistic methods in her biologically-managed vineyards in order to keep the vines naturally healthy. This includes greening, care for biodiversity, fertilizing with biological humus. Working by hand, consideration of the moon cycles and more. Consequently, Judith does not add cultured yeasts, but instead “risks” allowing her wines to ferment spontaneously – in other words, truly naturally.

Her wines are in the best sense natural, genuine and, above all, authentic. Always more discreet than loud. Always worth a “second look”. In her own words: “International style can be produced by everyone, everywhere. My wines are my own. They are here and now. And that is, for me, the most beautiful thing. Like my life in the vineyards”.

The Bambule range of whites (all made with skin contact) and reds (vibrant and crunchy)  are tonic wines, with a lively lingering purity. Bambule! as well as referring to the range of wines made without filtration or added sulphur, is an expression of freedom, a desire to push boundaries and discover something new and vital in wine and through winemaking.

The soils here (for the Furmint) are gravelly with a very good drainage on a gentle south-west facing slope at 175 m altitude.

Furmint, when Burgenland was still part of Hungary, was an important grape variety in the environs of Lake Neusiedl. It was used mainly for the production of sweet wines. After the collapse of the monarchy, the variety fell into oblivion. In 2017,  Judith planted a small vineyard of Furmint, which they considered a very interesting variety because of its marked acid structure. It also had a pronounced aroma and a certain “fieriness”, which is a counterpart to the acidity.

The Bambule range of whites and reds are tonic wines, with a lively lingering purity. They’re made without filtration or added sulphur; expressions of freedom, a desire to push boundaries and discover something new and vital in wine and through winemaking.

The grapes are hand harvested, destemmed and undergo five days of maceration in open top stainless-steel vat before ambient fermentation in old tonneaux with indigenous yeast and a further period of ageing in used barrels of 500 litres. The wine completes malolactic fermentation and is bottled without filtration, fining or added sulphites.

The Furmint Bambule has vibrant aromas of green apple, quince, and citrus zest, balanced by subtle floral notes and a distinct minerality, culminating in a crisp, refreshing finish that highlights its lively acidity and complexity. 

2023 Furmint Bambule!

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Interested in finding out more about Judith Beck’s wines? Contact us directly:

shop@lescaves.co.uk |  sales@lescaves.co.uk | 01483 538820