Karakterre: Promoting Central and Eastern Europe’s Wine Scene for over a decade
Established in 2011, with a transatlantic base in Austria, Germany and the USA, Karakterre is the leading wine festival and community showcasing organic, biodynamic, and low intervention wines, as well as farming practices of Central and Eastern Europe.
Our low intervention criteria:
organic/biodynamic/own similar system vineyard management
indigineous yeast only
no blocked malo
no rough filtration
no mechanical temperature control
a total of 50 mg/l sulphur (but lower is welcome!)
no other additions
family owned wineries
Our community is over 300 wineries strong. Do join us! Learn how by reading through these pages.
More on Us
Participation Criteria
Journal
KARAKTERRE JOURNAL
Karakterre Conversations: Moritz Herzog
by Marko Kovac
“There has been an overproduction of wine for a long time. … Many small farms will go out of business, whilst even larger ones will emerge. Their lobbying power must be curbed, otherwise we will strangle ourselves.”
We’re talking to Moritz Herzog, the found of Weinskandal import company and one of the first people to build a platform and support the development of natural winegrowing in Central and Eastern Europe- his native Austria in particular.
LITTLEWINE X KARAKTERRE
A Moment With… Slobodne.
Introducing a new series of video interviews that we’re happy to put out in collaboration with the team at Littlewine, who envisioned, shot and edited them. As ever, we’re focusing on the region of Central and Eastern Europe, highlighting growers who are part of this historic winemaking territory.
First in the series: meet Mišo Kuropka of Slovakia’s Slobodné winery and hear about this family’s incredible journey, from reclaiming their land after communism to making some of Central Europe’s most striking natural wines.
KARAKTERRE TRAVEL
Karakterre Travel: Is This the Best Styrian Wine List Out There, Part 1
by Marko Kovač
We’re not traveling just to escape the heat. We’re traveling to one of our favourites. Realistically, family Thaller’s restaurant in Sankt Veit am Vogau in Southern Styria, Austria, is sick- if you’re into best wine lists and best zero kilometer ingredients, that is.
KARAKTERRE JOURNAL
Karakterre Podcast: Phil Sareil
by Aleks Zečević
We at Karakterre first met Phil as a member of the Jenny & Francois Selections team. In that role, he was among the first wine professionals to promote the wines of Austria, Czech Republic and Slovakia internationally. In no small part thanks to those early efforts, these countries emerged as some of the most respected and loved wine regions in Central and Eastern Europe.
Ahead of our Karakterre 19: New York event on October 24, 2026, we spoke with Phil on ideas close to us.
KARAKTERRE JOURNAL
Karakterre Podcast: Robert Dentice
by Aleks Zečević
A relentless cellar builder and champion of Germany’s great vineyards, Robert Dentice shines a light on soulful growers and overlooked bottles while bringing wines from small German producers to the U.S. through his company, Source | Material.
KARAKTERRE JOURNAL
Karakterre Podcast: Ryan Goydos
by Aleks Zečević
As Supervinobros, Ryan Goydos — together with his brother Christopher — has established himself as one of the defining voices of the new wine generation.
Ryan approaches wine through constant tasting, visiting winemakers, building community, and communicating with refreshing transparency and accessibility.
KARAKTERRE JOURNAL
Karakterre Podcast: Andre Mack
by Aleks Zečević
André Mack’s on a mission: to make wine more accessible for everyone.
“A wine’s place is on the table right next to the salt and pepper, as a compliment–even a condiment to the food. It is not meant only to be collected, but to enhance your meal and your way of life.”
Aleks Zecevic talks to André on his love of spreading the message.
KARAKTERRE JOURNAL
Karakterre Podcast: Jamie Goode
by Aleks Zečević
Few people have shaped the way we talk about wine like Jamie Goode. A scientist turned storyteller, Jamie blends curiosity, clarity, and a sharp eye for what matters—both in the glass and in the vineyard.
In this conversation with Karakterre’s Aleks Zecevic, he reflects on the evolution of Austrian, Central, and Eastern European wine, the fine line between dogma and progress, and why the most exciting wines today are often the most honest.
KARAKTERRE JOURNAL
Karakterre Podcast: Justin Chearno
by Aleks Zečević
Justin Chearno was one of the pioneers of the natural wine movement and a founding partner at The Four Horsemen, a Parisian-inspired bistro in Brooklyn. He curated one of the country’s most respected wine lists. In 2022, it was awarded as the Outstanding Wine Program by the James Beard Foundation.
Karakterre’s Aleks Zecevic interviewed Justin during the event’s tasting in Eisenstadt, Austria, in May 2024. The conversation was recorded a few months before Chearno’s untimely passing on August 22, 2024, at the age of 54.
SEE THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE OR CLICK ON THE VIDEO BELOW
(Photo: The Four Horsemen)
Testimonies
AS SEEN IN
