“I suppose there’s something of a feather in me”
And yet another award for Willi Klinger: winner of our Steinfeder Prize in 2023.
Wine marketing expert, sales ace, wine journalist or Mr Austrian Wine – it takes more than a few labels to get a handle on Willi Klinger. Now the dean of Austria’s wine scene has yet another credit to his name. He was awarded Vinea Wachau’s distinguished Steinfeder Prize in November 2023. The award is our way of recognising outstanding personalities who promote Wachau wines in the international arena. “More than once I had the privilege to hold the speech to toast the Steinfeder Prize winner. Now I feel especially privileged to receive the prize myself,” Willi Klinger stated.
At the award ceremony, held at Landgasthaus Essl in Rührsdorf, a number of previous Steinfeder Prize winners as well as honorary members and supporters of Vinea Wachau were on hand to celebrate. Vinea Wachau chairman Emmerich H. Knoll presented the award on behalf of the entire board: “Willi Klinger has always been an unshakeable proponent of both wine quality and protection of origin. Today we honour someone who is a special ambassador for the Wachau region in international circles, but more than that a companion and friend of many years.”
“Willi Klinger has always been an unshakeable proponent of both wine quality and protection of origin.”
In his toast speech, Toni Bodenstein underscored Willi Klinger’s great importance for the industry: “He is ahead of the crowd, above it and even beyond it at times. Willi Klinger is an industry visionary. He is a cosmopolitan firmly entrenched in humanist values, who has accomplished much, both for Austria as a wine nation and for the Wachau as a wine region.”
“He is ahead of the crowd, above it and even beyond it at times. Willi Klinger is an industry visionary.”
The Steinfeder Prize, first awarded in 1986, is named after the variety of feather grass symbolising one of the three wine styles comprising Vinea Wachau’s repertoire. Incidentally, this year’s prize winner admits to a special relationship with a different kind of feather, the feather quill. He has authored a number of publications, including a reference work among Austrian wine literature: Wein in Österreich. “It’s certainly the most prominent book I am personally responsible for. Currently I’m working on another book related to wine. Yes, I suppose there’s something of a feather in me,” Willi Klinger admits wryly.
This year’s prize winner sees the Wachau on the right track. “Most especially with the Sustainable Wachau project, Vinea Wachau has set up signposts clearly showing the way to the future,” Willi Klinger observes. It comes as no surprise that sustainability certification was shaped in no small way by Willi Klinger during his term as director of the Austrian Wine Marketing Board 2007–2020. As a wine professional, his main concern has always been to exact and promote quality. One of the reasons Willi Klinger is known internationally as “Mr Austrian Wine ”.
“Our common strength lies in protecting the origin of Wachau wine and not tolerating any compromise.”
His relationship with the Wachau “is carried by unshakeable personal friendships”, Willi Klinger tells us. These friends have accompanied him through the various phases of his life, whether in the 1980s as an employee with wine importer Alois V. Stangl, or later with WEIN & CO, Angelo Gaia or the Wine Marketing Board. Today Willi Klinger is active as a consultant, moderator and author, or “officially in untiring restless retirement” as he himself puts it. The winner of this year’s Vinea Wachau Steinfeder Prize made a pitch for emphasising common values. “Whether you are a newcomer, an up-and-comer or an established producer, our common strength lies in protecting the origin of Wachau wine and not tolerating compromise.”
