8The history of the Baron Longo winery in Neumarkt reflects the family’s deep roots in its homeland, its foresight and pioneering spirit. It is marked by human fate and unpredictable twists – yet has a common thread, namely an extraordinary passion for winegrowing that began in the 18th century and can still be seen today.
1656
The name Baron Longo dates back to 1656 when our ancestor Johannes Dominikus Longo was raised to the Tyrolean aristocracy by the Habsburg Archduke Ferdinand Karl of Austria.
Back to the roots.
The tradition of winemaking in the family of Baron Longo-Liebenstein zu Wellenburg und Langenstein dates back to the 18th century. Today Anton Baron Longo represents a new generation that is continuing with great commitment what began centuries ago.
1804
Emperor Francis I. of Austria paid tribute to the services of Felix Anton (founder of the family wine-growing tradition) during the Napoleonic wars and subsequently elevated him to the status of Freiherr.
Fiercely loyal to their homeland.
Neumarkt has always been home, place of work and source of strength for the Longo family - in good and bad times. In 1799, for example, Felix Anton Freiherr von Longo-Liebenstein zu Wellenburg und Langenstein opposed the French in the Napoleonic Wars by independently recruiting two companies and making himself available with his soldiers as the first regional rifle major in Tyrol for the Austrian army. In doing so, however, he incurred the anger of the French: They devastated Felix Anton's winery in Neumarkt.
1864
The family’s foresight, however, always proved to be stronger than any setbacks. The commitment and pioneering spirit of Felix Anton’s son, Felix, saw the estate modernised in the 19th century and thus brought about an economic upswing. Wine exports to Austria followed the development of the railway infrastructure in South Tyrol.
1890
After selling Longo wines around the city of Klagenfurt for some time, Felix’s son Anton decided in the 1890s to devote himself entirely to running the winery in Neumarkt, which subsequently enjoyed great prosperity.
1922
As the First World War drew to a close, it became increasingly difficult to sustain the Baron Longo winery. The Longo family was expelled from the land and the winery, run by outsiders, gradually declined.
Turbulent times.
At the end of the 19th century the cultivated areas were badly damaged by floods and mudslides. Yet this misfortune turned out well in the end, as the mud deposits improved the soil fertility, which in turn was a bonus for winegrowing.
War years.
The Second World War meant yet more devastating blows to the family: Felix’s daughter Brigitta and his son Anton died, while his second son Johann was made a prisoner of war. Johann was ultimately allowed to return to Neumarkt, however, subsequently took over the running of the winery.
1930
It was not until the 1930s that the family was permitted to return to their homeland in Neumarkt, all the more eager to apply their full strength to rebuilding the estate under the guidance of Felix Baron Longo.
2012
Anton Baron Longo takes over the family estate. After almost 100 years, during which the grapes from the Longo vineyards were sold to cooperatives, Anton began producing wines under the family's name for the first time again in 2015.
2020
Organic certification of all vineyards. Conversion to biodynamic production according to Demeter principles. All wines are filled with light bottles weighing less than 400 grams.
2021
Vegan certification of all our vines.
2023
Beginning of CO2 balancing and sustainability certifications. Establishment of the farm's own animals in the vineyard. Moving-in of 11 Kune Kune pigs.
2024
Our entire winery and vineyards are biodynamically certified according to Demeter standards.
