The origins of Grüner Veltliner are a little uncertain, and although the name "Veltliner" comes from the village of Veltlin in the South Tyrol, there is no trace of the variety in the vicinity today. It would seem that the grape originally hails from the northern part of Lower Austria. Grüner Veltliner can be traced back to medieval times when it was part of the "mixed plantings" found in vineyards at the time. It was not until the 1930s when more individual grape varieties started to be planted separately that it was really recognised as a quality grape variety in its own right.
Genetic research into the variety's origins is currently underway in Austria and it seems fairly certain that the Grüner Veltliner is a direct descendant of the Traminer grape variety. Grüner Veltliner is probably also related to Roter Veltliner, a speciality of the Donauland, which also counts Zierfandler, Rotgipfler and Neuburger (unique to the Thermenregion) in its genetic family. The exact genetic connection between Grüner Veltliner and Roter Veltliner, however, is yet to be established.
Grüner Veltliner responded extremely well to the "Hochkultur" method of vine training developed in Lower Austria by Lenz Moser in the 1930s. At that time Lower Austria was planted primarily with Sylvaner, but Grüner Veltliner responded so well to the microclimate, terroir and vine training method, that it soon took precedence over Sylvaner. Plantings of Sylvaner dwindled dramatically, and there is virtually none present today, Grüner Veltliner reigning supreme. Even today excellent results can be achieved with the "Hochkultur" method as long as the yield is limited.
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