Your Hosts for the Evening

Bernhard Ott tends to his vines as one would care for old friends. A fourth-generation winemaker, Ott has revolutionized Austrian viticulture through his commitment to biodynamic practices and dedication to coaxing ethereal expressions from his beloved Grüner Veltliner grapes. His wines tell the story of his family’s winemaking journey since 1889 in the Wagram region’s ancient soils.

Hans Reisetbauer began his quest in 1990 with a simple mission: to create the world’s finest eau-de-vie. Today, his 17,000 Williams pear trees and 7,000 apple trees create the foundation for what many consider the world’s finest schnapps. His obsession with precision led him to design custom stills in his energy-self-sufficient distillery producing legendary schnapps and spirits and his celebrated Blue Gin.

Chef Kurt Gutenbrunner has been crafting contemporary Austrian cuisine at Wallsé for a quarter century, creating a beloved West Village destination where art, food, and hospitality intertwine. His creative spirit and masterful touch have earned not just a Michelin star for 17 consecutive years, but also a devoted community of food lovers who consider Wallsé their second home.