Concentrated Grüner Veltliners from Kellerberg are his favourite wines, but Roman Horvath also appreciates elegant white Burgundies. Before making his home in the Wachau, he worked in wine trade as well as wineries in Chile and France. He was the second Austrian to successfully complete the prestigious Master of Wine education at the Institute of Masters of Wine in London. He also keeps very busy in his private life as a family father who is quite proud of a daughter and twin boys all in pre-school age.

Contact: r.horvath(at)domaene-wachau.at

After years of apprenticeship and discovery in the international wine world, Heinz Frischengruber returned to his origins in the Wachau. He is a graduate of the Viniculture College Klosterneuburg, studied international wine marketing at the college in Eisenstadt and oenology at the reputed University of Geisenheim. He adores tasting the wines of the world directly in their own terroir. Heinz was awarded as the Vintner Newcomer of the Year in 2007 and is also the managing director of the Austrian Oenology and Wine Research.

Contact: h.frischengruber(at)domaene-wachau.at

Peter Philipp made an abrubt change in his career plans. During his education in engineering, he worked part time in the restaurant business where he discovered his love for wine. His decision was quickly drawn - down from the lofty heights of the scaffolding into the depths of the cellar! His oenology studies at the University of Agriculture in Vienna are completed and his extensive knowledge and creativity in making outstanding wines is now put into practice under the aegis of Heinz Frischengruber. Next to wines from Wachau, the wines from Piedmont and Burgundy are his odds-on favourites.

Contact: p.philipp(at)domaene-wachau.at

Kerstin Klamm has her masters in business management. Next to her appreciation of the wines of Wachau, she is also very enthusiastic about the elegance of German Rieslings. Since spring of 2007, she travels throughout the world as export manager for Domäne Wachau.  She regenerates from her intense travels by relaxing with her family.  Wine remains an important theme in her private life – her boyfriend is one of the leading viticulturists in Austria.

Kerstin Klamm is currently on maternity leave.

Contact: k.klamm(at)domaene-wachau.at

Whoever happens to be initiated to wine at the age of 19 with a bottle of Petrus 1966, is likely lost to the world of everyday wine forever. Not Martina Pöll. This is what awakened a lifelong passion while working at St. Christoph in Arlberg after completing her education in food and beverage management. This passion led her to professional ventures in Switzerland, Salzburg, and Burgundy. Martina completed her WSET Diploma at the Austrian Wine Academy in 2001. In 2004 she became director of the Hotel Rathaus Wein & Design in Vienna and for the last three years, she has been wine tourism developer in the Weinviertel region. She took responsibility for sales and marketing at Domäne Wachau in October 2012.

Contact: m.poell(at)domaene-wachau.at

Despite growing up outside Austrian wine country in rural Upper Austria, Melanie has become quite a wine cosmopolite. After graduating from a tourism high school, she left for two months in New Zealand. She spent an entire year there - not just because the Sauvignon blanc there is so delicious, but because life often simply leads you on interesting detours. From there she went to St. Moritz in Switzerland and worked two seasons. Instead of playing ice polo, she continued to drink plenty of wine which eventually inspired her to move to Langenlois. Because education increases wine appreciation, Melanie completed her courses in management at the Vinicultural College in Krems. Mature Rieslings fascinate her, but it is the wine of queens, the Barolo which captures her heart. Melanie Topp is now responsible for export and sales at Domäne Wachau. 

Contact: m.topp(at)domaene-wachau.at

Diana Auer has known steep mountains since her early childhood. When she moved to Langenlois from the Tyrolean Alps at the age of six, she was hardly impressed by the terraced slopes of the Heiligenstein. Her perspective changed through the years while growing up at her parent’s winery and she learned to appreciate the famous vineyard mountain in her new home. After completing her education at a vocational high school for hospitality and gathering experience in top European restaurants, Diana worked at the Bründlmayer Winery, which inspired further vinous interest. Diana Auer is now responsible for event management at Domäne Wachau.

Contact: d.auer(at)domaene-wachau.at

Eva is a Wachau local, but by no means without world experience. A career in fine dining broadened her horizons. She worked for the award-winning Austrian chefs Josef Floh in Langenlebarn and Andreas Döllerer in Gölling. She then advanced to the prestigious Restaurant Vendôme in Bergisch-Gladbach, Germany where she worked for the 3-Michelin-star chef, Joachim Wissler. Her awakened interest for wine was deepened at the Austrian Wine Academy, which she simultaneously combined with certification as a cheese sommelier. Cooking and eating good food, and continuous exploration of the world of wine are key lifestyle elements for Eva. Now, back home in the Wachau, she is the manager of our wine shop.

Contact: e.scharnagl(at)domaene-wachau.at

With lots of personal commitment and dedication, Veronica looks after our restaurand and Off-Trade customers based in the eastern part of Austria. Currently studying for her WSET, Veronica’s favourite wine pick is Pinot Noir, the „diva“ among red wines. She also treasures Rieslings from Wachau with the choice of her favourite wine mainly depending on her mood. She loves wine trips where she keenly pursue’s her hobby photography.

Contact: v.ambrosz(at)domaene-wachau.at

Raphael Buttinger grew up immersed in the hospitality trade in his parents’ restaurant in Upper Austria. He worked five seasons for the award-winning chef Martin Sieberer at Paznauner Stuben. With a cellar of 25,000 bottles of fine wine at his fingertips he quickly intensified his wine knowledge. Achievement of the Sommelier Diploma and a position at the prestigious Hangar 7 operated by Chef Roland Trettl in Salzburg sealed his entrance into the wine world. Raphael has now settled in the Wachau where he is adding top Grüner Veltliners to his collection of international wines. And to make sure that he won’t miss his origins, Raphael is our new man for sales in western Austria.

Contact: r.buttinger(at)domaene-wachau.at