Moric
Summary
Moric is a small-scale winery founded by Roland Velich in the early 2000s, focusing exclusively on Blaufränkisch from old-vine parcels in Burgenland's limestone and iron-rich soils at 200-400 meters elevation. Velich applies Burgundian principles to this Austrian variety through native yeast fermentations, extended maceration determined by taste rather than formula, and aging in neutral oak barrels, with each bottling meticulously crafted to reflect its specific origin.
Heritage & Leadership
Moric was established in the early 2000s by Roland Velich in Burgenland, Austria. Velich, who previously worked at his family's Weingut Velich estate in Apetlon, launched Moric as a focused project dedicated to exploring the potential of Blaufränkisch. His background in the family winery provided him with deep knowledge of the region's viticultural traditions before he embarked on this independent venture.
The winery operates from Großhöflein in the Leithaberg (Nordburgenland) region, while focusing on vineyards in Mittelburgenland, an area historically recognized for its affinity with the Blaufränkisch grape. Under Velich's direction, Moric has maintained a consistent focus on expressing the distinctive terroirs of Burgenland through minimal intervention winemaking. Velich continues to lead all aspects of vineyard management and winemaking, maintaining direct control over production decisions.
Vineyards & Wines
Moric sources grapes from several key vineyard sites across Burgenland, with particular focus on old-vine parcels in Neckenmarkt and Lutzmannsburg. These vineyards feature vines ranging from 30 to over 100 years old, providing concentrated fruit with distinctive character. The soils in these sites vary from the limestone-rich compositions in Neckenmarkt to the iron-rich loam and schist in Lutzmannsburg.
The portfolio centers on Blaufränkisch, with several bottlings that reflect specific terroirs. The Reserve Blaufränkisch blends fruit from multiple old-vine sites, while single-vineyard expressions include Neckenmarkt and Lutzmannsburg. Moric also produces a more accessible Blaufränkisch under the "Hausmarke" label. The vineyards are situated at elevations between 200-400 meters above sea level, with varying exposures that contribute to the complexity of the wines.
Philosophy & Practice
Velich approaches winemaking with a focus on traditional methods that emphasize minimal intervention. Fermentation occurs with native yeasts in open-top wooden fermenters, and maceration periods are determined by taste rather than formula. The wines age in neutral oak barrels of various sizes, with larger formats preferred for the single-vineyard expressions to minimize wood influence.
In the vineyard, Moric employs labor-intensive hand cultivation and harvesting. Yields are kept deliberately low through careful pruning and selection. Velich's approach draws parallels to Burgundian winemaking traditions, applying similar terroir-focused principles to Blaufränkisch. This methodology includes extended aging periods before release, allowing the wines to develop complexity and integration. The winemaking philosophy consistently prioritizes site expression over varietal characteristics or winemaker intervention, with each bottling designed to reflect its specific origin within the Burgenland landscape.