Winemaker
Michael Rethaller
- Discipline
- Winemaker
- Based in
- Rohrendorf, Austria
i. Biography
Michael Rethaller’s 2019 appointment as new winery manager and chief winemaker at Weingut Lenz Moser in Rohrendorf, Austria, marked the end point of an internal progression built entirely within the estate. The role did not arrive as an interruption to the house’s rhythm; it followed decades of work already rooted in its cellar and quality systems.
The Climb
At Weingut Lenz Moser in Rohrendorf, Austria, the work moved from vinification into quality control for Michael Rethaller, who held both roles across 1992–2018. That path put him close to the practical questions that define a wine house: how juice is handled, how standards are held, and how each decision carries through to bottle. Over time, the progression from vinification to quality control manager gave him a full working view of the estate, from the cellar floor to the checks that govern consistency. The long house tenure mattered because the knowledge was cumulative. Decades inside one estate build a different kind of authority: one based on familiarity with the site’s routines, standards and pressures. In 2019, Rethaller moved into the winery manager and chief winemaker role, carrying that internal knowledge into the estate’s top technical position.
Today
Since 2019, he has served as winery manager and chief winemaker at Weingut Lenz Moser, with responsibility for both the estate and the wines it releases. The emphasis is on duty and continuity: a role framed as stewardship rather than reinvention. His own note on craft is similarly plainspoken: “I appreciate the natural aspect of wine maturation in wooden barrels – a natural product matures in a natural way.” The line points to a winemaker thinking in terms of maturation, wood and time, with patience treated as a working principle rather than a slogan.
Signature
Michael's signature wines include Cuvée Noah and Servus 5%. These named wines sit at the center of his profile, anchoring his work in expressions that carry his stamp.
Recognition
The key recognition in Rethaller’s profile is the promotion itself: a move to winery manager and chief winemaker after years in the same house. It joined operational responsibility with winemaking authority, and it did so on the basis of internal experience rather than outside arrival. At Weingut Lenz Moser, the title reflects trust earned through long service and steady technical work.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Michael
What is Michael Rethaller's current role?
As of 2026, Michael Rethaller is new winery manager and chief winemaker.
Where did Michael Rethaller work before?
Michael Rethaller's earlier career included Weingut Lenz Moser.
