After studying at the Eisenstadt School of Viticulture and working at a Californian winery, Paul Achs took over the family estate in 1991. It is run biodynamically in Gols in Burgenland, Austria, about 50 km south-east of Vienna, in the border area with Hungary and Slovakia. The great feature of this wine-growing area of about 6700 hectares is that it is situated around Lake Neusiedl. Recognised as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, it is 36 kilometres long and 6 to 12 kilometres wide from east to west. Its immense surface functions as a reservoir that stores the heat of the hours of above-average sunshine and releases it at night. The most beautiful vineyards are located on the hills bordering the lake.