The Steiningers.
A sparkling family.
Making good wine is a way of life, as well as a fascinating task.
Wine is more than just a product – it is an expression of personality. Every person brings their own unique touch, and that individuality is reflected in our wines. With passion, sensitivity, and the courage to follow our own path, we create characterful wines and sparkling wines – the finest form of wine – that clearly carry our signature style.
Great wines don’t happen by chance. They require the perfect interplay of many elements: soil, climate, vintage – but also intuition, experience, and a personal vision. All of these come together in our work and make each wine truly unique.
Behind it all are people. With heart, dedication, and expertise, they contribute every day to what our wines ultimately become: exciting, distinctive, and full of life.
Eva & Peter
Eva, the eldest daughter of Karl and Brigitta, grew up on the family estate and felt connected to the winery from an early age. After completing the Vino-HAK – a combination of viticulture school and business academy – she went on to study International Business and then joined the family business directly.
Peter began working at the winery as an employee of Karl and Brigitta and soon took on responsibility in both the cellar and the vineyards. What began as a professional collaboration soon grew into a shared journey – both personally and professionally.
Since 2021, Eva and Peter have been running the winery as the third generation. Eva is responsible for organization, sales, and customer relations, while Peter leads viticulture and cellar operations. With great dedication – and the active support of Karl and Brigitta – they continue to shape the winery with passion and purpose. Together with their three sons – Julian, Florian, and Sebastian – they live and work at the family winery.
Karl & Brigitta
Karl and Brigitta took over the family winery from Karl’s parents in 1980 and transformed it from a mixed agricultural farm into a dedicated winegrowing and sparkling wine operation. Both come from winemaking families and brought a great deal of passion and experience into the business.
With a strong commitment to quality and the courage to innovate, Karl and Brigitta were among the first in the region to adopt the traditional method of sparkling wine production – placing particular emphasis on single-varietal sparkling wines. As early as 1989, they began working with Méthode Traditionnelle, positioning themselves as true pioneers of sparkling wine in the area. Their consistent approach and strong convictions established the winery as a respected name in Austria’s wine and sparkling wine landscape.
In 2021, Karl and Brigitta proudly passed on the responsibility to their daughter Eva and son-in-law Peter. Since then, they have continued to support the next generation with their experience – while enjoying their new role behind the scenes as “backstage winemakers.”
Anna & Martin Arndorfer
Anna, the middle daughter of the family, married Martin Arndorfer – and together, they now run the Arndorfer winery in Strass with great sensitivity and dedication. Their approach to winemaking is guided by intuition, trust in nature, and a desire to bring personality into every glass.
For Anna and Martin, wine is a living form of expression. They work naturally in the vineyard, avoid technical interventions in the cellar, and give their wines the time they need. Lees aging, skin contact, old barrels – everything has its place, but nothing is done for the sake of technique alone. It’s all about making the essence of the grape and its origin tangible.
“We see wine as a craft – one that leaves room for freedom, emotion, and artistry.”
Unconventional at times – but always honest. Learn more about their philosophy, wines, and current projects at:
www.ma-arndorfer.at
Lisa & João Steininger-Fonseca
Lisa, the youngest member of the family, set out to explore the world after graduating from tourism school in Krems. Her journey took her to Florida, New Zealand, and Australia – collecting experiences that would shape her unique perspective on wine. Upon returning to Austria, she deepened her expertise by studying International Wine Marketing at Geisenheim University.
In 2018, she met João Fonseca, a Portuguese winemaker with a deep passion for Port wine. What began as a shared idea soon evolved into a heartfelt project: crafting their own fortified wine inspired by traditional Port methods – powerful, profound, and truly one of a kind.
“Kraftvoll” is more than just a name – it’s a statement. In a region known for elegant white wines, Lisa and João are charting a bold new path with their Port-style creation. Today, they live with their children in Langenlois and continue to develop their vision: a fortified wine that blends Portuguese tradition with Austrian character – authentic, ambitious, and deeply personal.
