Robert Alwin Schlumberger, Edler von Goldeck (September 12, 1814 - July 13, 1879) was an Austrian entrepreneur and the first producer of sparkling wine in Austria.
Schlumberger was born in Stuttgart, Germany. As director of Ruinart, one of the leading champagne houses in Reims, France, he had the idea to produce champagne-like wine ("Schaumwein") in Austria using the French method but Austrian grapes.
In 1842 Schlumberger founded his company and started production in Bad Vöslau, a small town south of Vienna situated in a wine-growing region. In 1843 he married Mathilde Kirchner, the daughter of a wealthy factory owner, an alliance which helped him finance his business venture.
Schlumberger presented his first sparkling wine in 1846 under the name Vöslauer weißer Schaumwein (White sparkling wine of Vöslau). It was produced from Blauer Portugieser grapes growing in vineyards in Bad Vöslau which Schlumberger bought in 1843, and the sparkling wine was an immediate success.[1]
In 1878, one year before his death, Schlumberger was knighted ("Edler von Goldeck"). He died in Bad Vöslau.
Present-day Schlumberger Sekt company
Today, Schlumberger is one of the leading producers of sparkling wine (Sekt) in Austria. In 1973, the company was taken over by Underberg.
- Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon (Red), Merlot (Red), Cabernet Franc (Red)
- Specific Vineyards: Goldeck, Hupfenberg, oberkirchen
References
- ^ Wein-Plus Glossar: Schlumberger, accessed on January 3, 2009