Nestled in the heart of Austria's Thermenregion, just 20 kilometers south of Vienna, Weingut Alphart am Mühlbach stands as a testament to centuries of viticultural tradition intertwined with innovative winemaking. Founded in 1762—a year marked by historical milestones like the completion of Rome's Trevi Fountain and the early musical tours of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart—the Alphart family began cultivating vines in Traiskirchen. This region, blessed with rich limestone soils and a unique microclimate, has long been celebrated for its indigenous varieties, particularly Rotgipfler and Zierfandler. The Alphart Rotgipfler Vom Berg 2016 exemplifies this heritage, drawing from premier vineyards such as Mandelhöh, Pressweingarten, and Otzler, each imparting distinct facets to the wine. Rotgipfler, a grape born from a natural cross between Traminer and Roter Veltliner, thrives in these calcareous terrains, yielding wines of remarkable finesse and minerality. The 2016 vintage reflects a year of balanced weather in the Thermenregion, with ample rainfall ensuring vine health and a warm summer promoting even ripening. Harvested from low-yielding vines, the grapes underwent spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel tanks, preserving their vibrant acidity and primary fruit aromas. Extended lees contact added texture and complexity without oak influence, aligning with Alphart's philosophy of purity and authenticity. In the glass, this wine pours a luminous straw yellow with green highlights, evoking the freshness of alpine streams. Aromatically, it unfolds layers of tropical intrigue—ripe mango, papaya, and pineapple—interwoven with subtle herbal notes of citrus zest and meadow herbs. A hallmark saline minerality, reminiscent of Mandelhöh's limestone-driven soils, provides an elegant backbone, preventing the fruit from overwhelming the senses. On the palate, the Rotgipfler Vom Berg 2016 delivers a harmonious interplay of opulence and restraint. Medium-bodied with crisp acidity (around 6-7 g/L), it offers a creamy mouthfeel balanced by zesty citrus and stone fruit flavors. Nuances of roasted spices and a touch of almond emerge mid-palate, evolving into a long, persistent finish marked by wet stone and faint reductive notes that hint at its aging potential. This wine's structure—firm yet approachable—allows it to shine in youth while promising evolution over the next 5-7 years, developing honeyed complexities and deeper minerality. Alphart's commitment to sustainability is evident in their practices: no herbicides, minimal intervention, and a focus on biodiversity through cover crops and natural pest control. The winery's Heurigen restaurant, open nearly 150 days a year, pairs these wines with traditional Austrian fare, emphasizing the Rotgipfler's versatility—from aperitif to accompaniment for grilled fish or creamy cheeses. In a world of bold, oak-heavy whites, this Rotgipfler stands apart as a beacon of elegance, capturing the essence of Thermenregion's DAC status, established to protect native varieties like Rotgipfler. It's not merely a wine but a narrative of place, time, and passion, inviting sippers to explore Austria's underappreciated gems. Whether enjoyed now for its vibrancy or cellared for added depth, the 2016 Vom Berg rewards patience and curiosity, embodying Alphart's enduring legacy of crafting wines that connect drinkers to the land's timeless story.