Josef Cembran

Josef Cembran is a traditional family winery and wine cellar located in Linz, Upper Austria. The company was founded in 1897 by Josef Cembran, who came from Cembra in the Trentino region and initially opened a South Tyrolean wine tavern on Klammstraße. In 1904, the founder acquired the historic cellar facilities on the Bauernberg, which date back to Roman times and remain the company's headquarters to this day. The winery prospered and in 1907 was sworn in as the supplier of Mass wine to the Diocese of Linz. In 1908, in recognition of its contributions and the high quality of its products, the company was awarded the title of "k.u.k. Court Supplier" (Imperial and Royal Court Supplier). Despite World War I and the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the business survived. In the 1920s, a Late Jugendstil residential and commercial building was designed and constructed by Fritz Fanta, a student of Otto Wagner. During World War II, the cellars connected to the Cembranstollen tunnel provided shelter for around 4,000 people during bombing raids. The company recovered after the war. Josef Cembran Jr. joined the winery in 1963 and further expanded the business; in the 1980s, the cellars were also converted for private and corporate events. The next generation, Romano Cembran, studied wine management in Krems and worked at wineries in California's Napa Valley before being appointed authorized signatory and managing director in January 2000. On August 1, 2001, Josef Cembran Jr. retired and transferred the business and estate to Romano Cembran. The winery primarily bottles Austrian wines, with grapes sourced from various wine-growing regions. Its own products include Hohenwarther Grüner Veltliner, while the grapes used to make Riesling, Rivaner, Sauvignon Blanc, Welschriesling, Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch, and Blauer Portugieser come from Pöttelsdorf, Schrattenberg, and Rust. French wines such as Pinot Noir and Bordeaux are also offered, along with Italian imports such as Chianti. The historic brick vaults, up to 12 meters high, can accommodate up to 400 people for various events, including celebrations as well as electronic/drum and bass parties. The winery is open every day except Sunday. Today, Josef Cembran is best known as a specialist in Mass wines (Messweine), with over 115 years of experience, and has celebrated the company's 125th anniversary. The company supplies products to the clergy in accordance with the Roman Catholic Church's vow regarding Mass wine. The company emphasizes that its Mass wines are not sold in restaurants or retail channels and are intended solely for parish use. The winery is now in its fourth generation and continues to operate as a reliable partner to the Church.

The winery Josef Cembran in Linz is a traditional family business. The cellar is located between Bauernberg and "Märzenkeller" at Kellergasse 6. The founder Josef Cembran originally came from Cembra in Trentino. After completing his military service in the imperial army, he founded a South Tyrolean wine tavern in Linz at Klammstraße in 1897. In 1904 he bought a cellar complex at Bauernberg that dates back to Roman times. This is the current company headquarters. Cembran became successful and in 1907 was sworn in as an altar wine supplier for the Diocese of Linz. Not only high-ranking figures in Linz and the surrounding area were supplied by the Cembran winery, but also the imperial court in Vienna. For his services and due to the high quality of the products, he received the title of "k.u.k. Hoflieferant" (Imperial and Royal Court Supplier) in 1908. Despite World War I and the collapse of the Dual Monarchy, the company was able to survive. In the 1920s Cembran had the residential and commercial building erected by Fritz Fanta, a student of Otto Wagner, in late Jugendstil style. During World War II Cembran opened its doors to those seeking protection from bombing raids; the Cembranstollen tunnels connected to the cellar could accommodate approximately 4,000 people. The milling machine used to dig the tunnels can still be viewed today. The company was able to recover in the post-war years. The designated successor Josef Cembran Jr. learned the wine trade early. He gained practical experience at businesses in France and Italy, and theoretical knowledge in cellar management and oenology at the wine school in Klosterneuburg. He had studied world trade at the University of Florence and at Kremsmünster Abbey. In 1963 Josef Cembran Jr. joined the winery and expanded it further. In the 1980s the cellar was also converted for use for private and corporate celebrations. The successor Romano Cembran graduated from the Bundesrealgymnasium Honauerstraße in Linz and then did his military service. He studied wine management in Krems and then worked at wineries in Napa Valley, California. In January 2000 he was appointed authorized signatory and managing director of the winery. Josef Cembran Jr. retired on 1 August 2001, and the business and property were thus handed over to Romano Cembran. He himself has a son Fabio (born 29 January 2001). The winery dates back to Roman times and is open around the week except Sundays. The brick vault is up to 12 meters high and can hold up to 400 people for various occasions such as celebrations, but also for techno/drum-and-bass parties. Mainly Austrian wines are bottled, with grape varieties coming from various wine-growing regions. For the self-bottled Hohenwarther Grüner Veltliner, the grapes for Rheinriesling, Rivaner, Sauvignon Blanc, Welschriesling, Zweigelt, Blauburger and Blauer Portugieser come from Pöttelsdorf, Schrattenberg and Rust. In addition, French wines such as Pinot Nero and Bordeaux, and Italian imported wines such as Chianti are offered.

• 2001

  Josef Cembran Jr. retires on 1 August; business and property handed over to Romano Cembran.

• 2000

  Romano Cembran appointed authorized signatory and managing director in January.

• 1980

  The cellar is converted for private and corporate events.

• 1963

  Josef Cembran Jr. joins the winery and expands it.

• 1920

  Construction of the late Jugendstil residential and commercial building by Fritz Fanta.

• 1908

  Awarded the title of "k.u.k. Hoflieferant" (Imperial and Royal Court Supplier).

• 1907

  Sworn in as altar wine supplier for the Diocese of Linz.

• 1904

  Purchase of a Roman-era cellar complex at Bauernberg, the current company headquarters.

• 1897

  Josef Cembran founds a South Tyrolean wine tavern in Linz at Klammstraße.

Traditional family winery and specialist altar wine supplier for the Catholic Church, with over 115 years of experience.

• Cembran Messweine

  Altar wines for the Catholic Church, available exclusively for parish use.

• Hohenwarther Grüner Veltliner

  Self-bottled wine.

• Rheinriesling

  Grapes from Pöttelsdorf, Schrattenberg and Rust.

• Rivaner

  Grapes from Pöttelsdorf, Schrattenberg and Rust.

• Sauvignon Blanc

  Grapes from Pöttelsdorf, Schrattenberg and Rust.

• Welschriesling

  Grapes from Pöttelsdorf, Schrattenberg and Rust.

• Zweigelt

  Grapes from Pöttelsdorf, Schrattenberg and Rust.

• Blauburger

  Grapes from Pöttelsdorf, Schrattenberg and Rust.

• Blauer Portugieser

  Grapes from Pöttelsdorf, Schrattenberg and Rust.

• Pinot Nero

  French wine.

• Bordeaux

  French wine.

• Chianti

  Italian imported wine.

1. 1CEMBRAN MESSWEINE SEIT 1897cembran.at
2. 2Josef Cembran - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Josef Cembran - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org