YOUR COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO THIS YEAR'S PRESALE
Every year we look forward to sending you this offer, the Skurnik German & Austrian DI, our biggest of the year. Skurnik has not only the largest collection of wines from these two countries, but also one of the most dynamic.
We feel it's the very best way to get these wines into your hands and into your glasses, many of which are only available through this sale and offered at the lowest possible prices.
We've created this comprehensive guide, to answer all these questions and more. Below you will find in-depth producer profiles, highlights about the region, links to our blog series and much more. Whether you are just starting your Teutonic journey, or are a seasoned explorer, our hope there is that there is something for everyone.
How does a direct-import (DI) presale work?
- Access a huge selection of wines. They come from a single, highly lauded importer, our friends at Skurnik, and are listed at the best possible prices.
- Send us your requests by Saturday, September 27th. Option 1: Build your cart and submit your order online. Option 2: Email it over. You can use this order form (Download here.) to see all the wines and prices.
- Confirmations and cuts. Some of these wines are very limited and we can't always get everything we ask for. If we have to cut any of your requests we will let you know at this point. This is especially true for 2024 wines.
- Receive your wines. Usually in January. When the producers feel the wines are ready, they are bottled and shipped to us. As soon as your order is packed we will let you know. We ask you take your wines as soon as possible.
Have a question about this year's DI - don't hesitate to reach out!
EXPLORE THE PRESALE
With more than 500 wines to choose from, we decided to organize this year's presale into parts.
Let us pick for you
We know the sheer volume can be daunting. Skurnik's unmatched book spans hundreds and hundreds of incredible wines. If you don’t have the time—or it’s just too much to dive in and what you really need is a guided tour—we’re here to help!
We’ve pre-selected some samplers of our favorites below, and we’d also be thrilled to put together a bespoke case according to your budget and interest.
Featured Producers
I don't know anything about German or Austrian wine, where should I start?
We want to be your guide to the delicious adventure that is German and Austrian wine!
You can start by read everything we've written on Austria here and all our German content here. Those two sources will give you everything from the basics (like how to decode their labels), to deep dives on the varied regions, to our thoughts on what the future holds for these two beloved wine countries, and a whole lot more.
You can start by read everything we've written on Austria here and all our German content here. Those two sources will give you everything from the basics (like how to decode their labels), to deep dives on the varied regions, to our thoughts on what the future holds for these two beloved wine countries, and a whole lot more.
Do vintages matter in Germany & Austria?
Yes, and no. These are cool to moderate, continental climate wine countries, which means they can experience can see drastically different weather conditions from year to year. Vines and their resulting wines are sensitive to this these patterns and will demonstrate features reflective of the vintage.Generally the producers that we feature are all of such high quality that even though there are vintage variations, they are to be celebrated, not feared. Meaning most of us will find plenty to enjoy no matter the year.
How was the 2024 vintage in Germany and Austria?
Delicate and subtle, the wines of 2024 are getting compared to cool, classic, old-school-Germany vintages, but always with the note that this vintage is also something entirely its own.
We're lucky to have any 2024s at all. In late April, frost ravaged much of the Mosel and Nahe, most of the Saar and Ruwer, and many other areas in both Germany and Austria. After such a devastating frost event, growers' heart rates don't settle down for the rest of the season. The threat of hail, an early end to the season, and the many other regular challenges of farming in this part of the world loom even larger when you are behind in the count. And the challenges weren't over: a cool and, in some areas, rainy season chipped away at already diminished crop loads.
But this is why we drink wine from the margins, wine that you have to be a little crazy to devote your life to making. It brings out a level of skill rarely seen in this business. It's the thrill-seeking side of wine.
Consider this: Where yields were slashed by frost and rain at flowering, the cooler season meant the vine could ripen the reduced crop easily while retaining balance and acidity (as opposed to a hot season, which might have overripened a light crop). Where mildew threatened, the top growers worked tirelessly to thin leaves and sort fruit to ensure only the cleanest grapes were saved. Warm days and cool nights for most of the summer hearkened back to the old days before all we talked about was climate change.
In the fall, rains came again scattered throughout both Austria and Germany, and growers found dry windows to harvest—just as they've done all their lives. A long, drawn-out harvest season meant plenty of time to make good decisions, and in the end, we have fine-boned, acid-driven wines that we believe will age just like 2008, 2013, and other vintages to which growers are comparing this one.
In short, it's exactly the kind of vintage we love drinking, and our only regret is that there are so few wines it may be tempting to avoid cellaring them quite as long as they'll be able to go.
The lowdown on recent vintages
Germany
2023
The 2023 vintage was one of extremes yet resulted in some extraordinary wines. The resulting wines maintained elegance and precision with a warm core and ripe acidity. It’s a vintage that will hold up over time but is especially giving in its youth.
2022
On the heels of the thrilling "classic" vintage of 2021 we were skeptical there would be much to go gaga over in 2022. How, in the age of climate change, could we expect two acid-driven vintages in a row? Especially with such divergent weather patterns. But in practice acid freaks are going to have plenty to enjoy in 2022.
Normally there are variations between all the different wine regions, and very different outcomes in Germany and Austria. But in 2022, there was a surprising consistency throughout the teutonics.These are some great wines, in short supply.
2021
A consistently cooler growing season produced perfectly balanced wines. A throwback.
2020
Filigreed, elegant and just delicious. It was the 3rd hot, dry year in a row, but the wines managed to have more acidity than the previous two and a delicate lift to them. Not as powerful as the 2019's or ripe at the 2018's. This is a drink me now vintage, but top wines will hold just fine.
2019
Powerful, cellar-worthy wines. The best winemakers made incredible wines, as usual. Careful fruit selection lowered production, but preserved acidity, which is complemented by a mineral and herbal focus rather than plush fruit. The yields were low and there are precious few left in the market, but what is out there is worth picking up.
Austria
2023
The start to the growing season began a bit later in Austria than it did in Germany. Like 2022, rigorous preselection was necessary to achieve to the best results, but unlike 2022, must weights weren’t low. So, for those who are looking for more power, 2023 is the vintage for you. 2023 is also an incredibly aromatic vintage and one that both sommeliers and everyday consumers will enjoy alike.
2022
Overall the results for Austrian and German wines in 2022 was nearly the same. Fantastic wines, with a cooler tone, fully developed fruit flavors, complete physiological ripeness and vibrant, lifted structure. They might not all have the staying power of 2021 or 2019, but they are open and exuberant now.
2021
Pure pleasure after a perfect vintage. It's the stuff wine makers' dreams are made of - wines that are crystal clear, fully ripe, yet pure, mineral and perfectly balanced by a sizzling burst of acidity. A vintage to continue to go deep on for enjoying now and adding to the cellar. Offering wines that are complete and good quantities.
2020
A classic charming vintage. There was cooler weather than 2017, 2018 and 2019 producing balanced wines with good acid and low alcohol wines with singing aromatics.
2019
2019s are LEGENDARY. For the third decade in a row, the vintage ending in 9 is absolutely superb. Critics and producers alike refer to it as "historic." The wines are balanced, with high acidity, concentrated fruit, intense perfume, and pure varietal typicity. Yields were good, making this a year to go deep for the cellar and buy across the board.