In Illmitz they just call him "Luis." And he's always travelling. Call him on his cell phone, and you might catch him in London, Singapore, or at the Krankls' in Santa Barbara. Back in Illmitz, his wife Michaela and the two other Krachers see to it that everything runs smoothly even when he is away. Three generations of vintners, each as stubborn as the other.

The Father: Alois Kracher, Sr., Vintage 1929:
Luis calls him "the real pioneer." "He was the first in our family to realize the potential of the Seewinkel region for quality wine growing," he says. At 73, the eldest Kracher still looks after the vineyards. He knows each vine and what each parcel of ground needs.

The Luis: Alois Kracher, Jr., Vintage 1958:
A trained chemist who was long involved in the pharmaceutical industry, Luis changed course in1986, returning home to work in the vineyards. And he did it with zeal. He created a new style of dessert wine in which fruit, finesse, and balance were more important than just sweetness. With his 1991 he caused quite a stir internationally. Today, he is one of the most successful producers of sweet wines in the world and one of the wine world's best known figures. His wines are a class of their own. Only rarely does a top Tokay or Mosel sweety measure up to the recognition and acclaim Kracher wines receive at international wine tastings. Five times, the respected British Wine Magazine named Alois Kracher "Wine Maker of the Year": in 1994, 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2001.

Michaela Kracher:
Michaela pulls the strings. She manages the busy schedule, coordinates the orders and exports of Kracher wines and ensures that everything runs smoothly at the winery.

The Son: Gerhard Kracher, Vintage 1981
The youngest of the three Kracher generations also became thoroughly engaged in the operation of the winery. More and more, Luis leaves direction of the cellar to his son whenever he is on tour. The youngest Kracher has his own ideas, yet he is well aware of the value of tradition inherent in the name of Kracher