Why it matters
The producer
Florian Schuhmann-Irschik leads Quantum Winery in Maissau, Lower Austria. He has practiced viticulture since 2014 and works two leased hectares with vines between 35 and 60 years old. The land is organically certified, with no pesticides or herbicides used.
Quantum uses traditional regional varieties in cuvées. The cellar uses spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts, skin maceration, no filtration before bottling and very low additions of sulphites. The range includes white, red, rosé, orange and sparkling styles.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Quantum Winery is located in Maissau, in the Hollabrunn district of Lower Austria. Its vineyards sit in the hilly Weinviertel on soils of predominantly granitic origin. Granite often produces free draining ground, while hills alter how water moves through the vineyard during the growing season.
The plantings combine local grapes such as Gemischter Satz, Grüner Veltliner, Roter Veltliner, Portugieser and Zweigelt with Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Wines to know
The range in view
Quantum's range spans white, red, rosé, orange and sparkling wines. Chaos Weiß Non Vintage is a white Gemischter Satz cuvée at 11.5% alcohol. Chaos Rosa 2022 is a rosé Gemischter Satz cuvée at 10% alcohol, while Chop Suey 2021 combines Weissburgunder and Pinot Noir. Bastard of Grapes Rosé combines Cabernet Sauvignon and Zweigelt in equal proportions.
The white range also includes Wittgenstein 2024 and Sur Lie 2024, both made from Rheinriesling, at 11.5% and 12% alcohol respectively. Chaos Rot, from 2021 onward, combines Blaufränkisch, St. Laurent, Blauer Portugieser, Merlot and Grauburgunder. Smells Like Teen Spirit But Tastes Like Pennyroyal Tea is an orange wine combining Grüner Veltliner, Weissburgunder and Gewürztraminer.