Europe’s First Winery with Thousands of Co-Owners
The Dürnberg Winery in Lower Austria has achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the first winery in Europe to be owned by thousands of co-owners. Following a successful crowdinvesting campaign, over 5,000 new shareholders were welcomed, including one-third from Germany. With a capital raise of six million euros, this has become the most successful crowd-invested equity issue in Austria.
About Dürnberg Winery’s Journey
The Dürnberg Winery’s story began nearly 30 years ago when founder Christoph Körner received a vineyard from his grandmother. He transformed a small, inconspicuous business into a respected winery. With the addition of 5,239 new shareholders, the winery is now owned by a diverse group of wine enthusiasts from Austria, Germany, and 14 other EU countries.
Record-Breaking Investment
Through crowdinvesting, the winery raised six million euros, setting records for both the number of investors and capital raised in Austria. While shares have already been issued, interested parties can still register for remaining shares on the Dürnberg website and join the co-owners.
Message from the Dürnberg Management Team
The management team, including Georg Klein (Head of Commercial Areas), Michael Preyer (Cellar Master), and Matthias Marchesani (Sales Specialist), expressed their gratitude for the overwhelming response. Klein emphasized the growing desire for direct connections with winemakers, a relationship that Dürnberg aims to strengthen as customers increasingly seek meaningful engagement with their wine producers.
Future Plans for Dürnberg Winery
With the new capital, the winery is planning an expansion phase to enter the top tier of Austrian wineries. Planned improvements include a barrique cellar, additional bottle aging spaces, and a stunning tasting room. New co-owners, equipped with the “Dürnberg Card,” will have 24/7 access to these facilities, where exclusive events will be held for shareholders.
Sustainability and Global Recognition
Dürnberg Winery is committed to sustainability, with vegan-certified wines and plans for organic production. The winery is focused on energy self-sufficiency, utilizing a photovoltaic system, and prioritizes a low CO2 footprint. Currently producing around 400,000 bottles annually, Dürnberg exports to countries like the United States, Japan, and Australia, with a 60% export share.
Management Team of Dürnberg Winery