The credo of Vinea Wachau is to classify our quality wines in three categories: Steinfeder, Federspiel and Smaragd. These wines are considered ambassadors of the Austrian white wine culture – and especially of the World Cultural Heritage Wachau. Not only are the three designations unique in Austria, but a similar example of them cannot be found in all of Europe. Most importantly, the designations serve as an orientation structure for wine lovers, because it allows for dry white wines to be defined according to three weight classes, each of which is based on natural alcohol content.
Fruity charm and a stipulated maximum alcohol content of 11,5% by volume characterize the lightest style of top Wachau wines, the Steinfeder. The name itself refers to the typical "Steinfedergras” (Stipa pinnata), a grass which grows near the vines in the Wachau´s terraced vineyards; it is light like a feather, and fragrant – just like the wine named after it.