Rosenmuskateller x Kracher

A Sweet Memory from Childhood

There are many great love stories – but none as sweet as this one.

Gerhard Kracher recalls:
"It all started in the 1980s when I was still a little boy. My father had already developed a special passion for the Rosenmuskateller variety back then."

Every Christmas, a special bottle was placed on the Kracher family’s festive table. Initially, it was Moscato Rosa from South Tyrol, later also Pink Muscat from Massandra—the legendary winery of the Russian Tsars in Crimea.

"I was very young at the time, but that didn't stop me from sniffing my parents' glasses and sneaking a sip of these specialties. The scent of roses, wild strawberries, hibiscus, and fine tannins filled the room. For me, it was more than just wine. It was a memory, a feeling of warmth, a piece of childhood that lives on in every bottle of Rosenmuskateller today," says Gerhard Kracher.

Rosenmuskateller is a rare grape variety belonging to the large Muscat family, primarily used for dessert wines. It is known by several synonyms, including Moscato Rosa, Muscat Rose, and Muscadel of Roses.

The Beginning of Something Special

For years, the family debated whether to plant Rosenmuskateller in Seewinkel. Initially, there were uncertainties about how the variety would adapt to the region’s climate and soil.

At the time, Austrian wine law did not permit Rosenmuskateller to be grown. To move forward, the Kracher family applied for an official test permit. In 2002, the variety was finally approved for experimental planting. As soon as they received the green light, they sourced vines from South Tyrol and planted the first 0.8 hectares.

The first harvest came in 2004. It was a tiny amount, just enough for an initial experiment. The following year, the yield increased—but the biggest surprise was yet to come.

"We hadn’t expected botrytis to develop so extensively on these grapes. The variety has thick skins, which usually makes it difficult for botrytis to spread," recalls Gerhard Kracher.

That autumn, Gerhard and his grandfather harvested the grapes early on a Saturday morning and pressed them in a small basket press. The result? 40 liters of Trockenbeerenauslese-quality wine, fermented in milk cans.

"After fermentation, it was clear: this was just the beginning."

From Experiment to Kracher Collection

The 2006 vintage marked the Rosenmuskateller’s debut in the Kracher Collection. However, Austrian wine law still posed challenges. At the time, it was not permitted to list the variety name or the term "Trockenbeerenauslese" on the label. The family found a creative workaround: they simply added a small rose illustration to the label. Officially, they had to classify it as "partially fermented grape must"—a designation that hardly did justice to this exceptional wine.

It wasn’t until 2017 that Rosenmuskateller was officially recognized as a permitted grape variety in Austria.

Today, the Kracher winery cultivates approximately 3 hectares of Rosenmuskateller. The variety requires meticulous care due to its rapid growth and delicate flowering process. Yields are often just half of what more common grape varieties produce. Yet, those who have tasted Rosenmuskateller know that its extraordinary flavor and aroma make it all worthwhile.

The Only Botrytis-Affected Rosenmuskateller in the World

As far as we know, this is the only Rosenmuskateller in the world where botrytis naturally develops. In South Tyrol, the grapes are dried to achieve the necessary sugar concentration, while in Massandra, the wine is fortified to halt fermentation.

Sadly, Alois Kracher Jr. did not live to see how the wine world embraced this unique creation. He passed away in December 2007.

"My father never had the chance to see it, but I’m sure he would have loved how our Rosenmuskateller has made an international impact," says Gerhard Kracher.

Discover the Unique Character of Rosenmuskateller

2022 Beerenauslese Red Roses

Intense aromas of roses, wild strawberries, and fine tannins. A perfect introduction to Rosenmuskateller.
0.375l | €26.00

2021 TBA No. 4 Rosenmuskateller

A highlight of the current Kracher Collection, offering complex notes of strawberries, raisins, peaches, Earl Grey, and rose petals. Exceptional aging potential.
0.375l | €78.00

2010 TBA No. 1 Rosenmuskateller

A mature Trockenbeerenauslese with new layers of depth. Red berry aromas unfold, complemented by a subtle touch of eucalyptus—an elegance that develops over 10 to 15 years.
0.375l | €83.00

Rosenmuskateller is more than just a wine. It is a legacy, a passion, and a tribute to the past—bottled for the future.