Nibiru is a small natural wine project based in Austria’s Weinviertel region, founded by Josef “Pepi” Falschlehner and Josef Schmid. The winery has become widely respected within the low-intervention wine scene for producing energetic, terroir-driven wines with minimal manipulation and strong drinkability.

The vineyards are farmed organically, with a focus on biodiversity, healthy soils and sustainable viticulture. In the cellar, fermentations are spontaneous using indigenous yeasts, while fining, filtration and sulphur use are kept to an absolute minimum. Nibiru’s wines are known for their freshness, texture and expressive character, combining precision with a relaxed, natural winemaking philosophy.

The Weinviertel, Austria’s largest wine-growing region, lies in the northeast of Lower Austria, bordering the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Its name translates as “wine quarter”, a fitting title given the extensive vineyard landscape. The climate is continental, with warm, dry summers and cold winters, but is softened by Pannonian influences from the east, creating favourable ripening conditions while retaining freshness.

Soils are diverse, ranging from loess and loam to gravel and sandstone, often interspersed with marl and clay. This variety allows for nuanced expressions of different grape varieties, though Grüner Veltliner is by far the star. The region was the first in Austria to achieve DAC (Districtus Austriae Controllatus) status in 2003, reserved for its classic, peppery Grüner Veltliner.

Grüner Veltliner from the Weinviertel is typically fresh and aromatic, with lively acidity, pronounced white pepper spice, citrus, green apple and herbal notes. Lighter styles are crisp and vibrant, while Reserve wines offer more body, ripe stone fruit, and subtle oak complexity. Other grapes, such as Riesling, Welschriesling and Pinot varieties, are also grown, alongside some red wines from Zweigelt and Blauer Portugieser. Overall, Weinviertel wines are characterised by clarity, precision and a distinctive peppery freshness that captures the region’s unique terroir.

Zweigelt is Austria’s most widely planted red grape variety, created in 1922 by Dr. Fritz Zweigelt through a cross between Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent. Originally called Rotburger, it was renamed to honour its creator and has since become a flagship red for Austrian wine.

Viticulturally, Zweigelt is a relatively hardy and early-ripening variety, prized for its resistance to frost and reliable yields. It thrives in Austria’s temperate continental climate, particularly in regions like Burgenland and Niederösterreich, where warm days and cool nights help develop its vibrant fruit character while retaining freshness.

Zweigelt is also grown, albeit on a smaller scale, in countries such as Germany, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Canada, and even parts of the United States and New Zealand, where cooler climates allow for similar quality expressions.

Stylistically, Zweigelt ranges from light and fruity to rich and age-worthy. In its youth, it often displays juicy red cherry, raspberry, and violet notes, with soft tannins and lively acidity. More serious examples, often oak-aged, can show darker fruit, spice, and earthy complexity.

Pinot Noir is one of the world’s most celebrated and challenging grape varieties, renowned for producing elegant, complex wines. Believed to have originated in Burgundy, France, over 1,000 years ago, it thrives in cooler climates where its thin skin and early ripening nature are best suited. Viticulturally, Pinot Noir is notoriously difficult to grow: it is susceptible to rot, mildew, and pests, and requires precise canopy management to balance ripening with acidity retention.

Pinot Noir is planted across the globe, with notable expressions found in Burgundy, Champagne, Oregon’s Willamette Valley, California’s Sonoma Coast, New Zealand’s Central Otago, and Germany’s Baden and Pfalz regions. In Champagne, it is a key component of sparkling wines, typically blended with Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. The wine's diverse geographical range means that you might also find it labelled as Red Burgundy, Pinot Nero, Blauburgunder, or Spätburgunder.

The grape produces wines of delicate colour but remarkable aromatic depth. Typical flavour profiles include red fruits such as cherry, raspberry, and strawberry, often layered with floral notes, earthy undertones, and hints of spice or forest floor as the wines mature. Styles range from light and silky to more structured and age-worthy, depending on climate and winemaking choices. Pinot Noir’s ability to express terroir with precision makes it a favourite among wine lovers, despite — or perhaps because of — its demanding nature in the vineyard.

Zweigelt is Austria’s most widely planted red grape variety, created in 1922 by Dr. Fritz Zweigelt through a cross between Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent. Originally called Rotburger, it was renamed to honour its creator and has since become a flagship red for Austrian wine.

Viticulturally, Zweigelt is a relatively hardy and early-ripening variety, prized for its resistance to frost and reliable yields. It thrives in Austria’s temperate continental climate, particularly in regions like Burgenland and Niederösterreich, where warm days and cool nights help develop its vibrant fruit character while retaining freshness.

Zweigelt is also grown, albeit on a smaller scale, in countries such as Germany, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Canada, and even parts of the United States and New Zealand, where cooler climates allow for similar quality expressions.

Stylistically, Zweigelt ranges from light and fruity to rich and age-worthy. In its youth, it often displays juicy red cherry, raspberry, and violet notes, with soft tannins and lively acidity. More serious examples, often oak-aged, can show darker fruit, spice, and earthy complexity.

Pinot Noir is one of the world’s most celebrated and challenging grape varieties, renowned for producing elegant, complex wines. Believed to have originated in Burgundy, France, over 1,000 years ago, it thrives in cooler climates where its thin skin and early ripening nature are best suited. Viticulturally, Pinot Noir is notoriously difficult to grow: it is susceptible to rot, mildew, and pests, and requires precise canopy management to balance ripening with acidity retention.

Pinot Noir is planted across the globe, with notable expressions found in Burgundy, Champagne, Oregon’s Willamette Valley, California’s Sonoma Coast, New Zealand’s Central Otago, and Germany’s Baden and Pfalz regions. In Champagne, it is a key component of sparkling wines, typically blended with Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. The wine's diverse geographical range means that you might also find it labelled as Red Burgundy, Pinot Nero, Blauburgunder, or Spätburgunder.

The grape produces wines of delicate colour but remarkable aromatic depth. Typical flavour profiles include red fruits such as cherry, raspberry, and strawberry, often layered with floral notes, earthy undertones, and hints of spice or forest floor as the wines mature. Styles range from light and silky to more structured and age-worthy, depending on climate and winemaking choices. Pinot Noir’s ability to express terroir with precision makes it a favourite among wine lovers, despite — or perhaps because of — its demanding nature in the vineyard.