Bitter bankruptcy of a well-known winery

Domaines Kilger Wein GmbH, based on Eckberger Weinstrasse in Gamlitz, filed restructuring proceedings with self-administration at the Graz regional court on April 22nd. The liabilities amount to around 200,000 euros, compared to assets of just 2,800 euros. Around 35 creditors and six employees are affected by the insolvency.

30 percent quota offered

The company offers the insolvency creditors a restructuring plan quota of 30 percent, payable within two years of acceptance of the plan. Managing director Ivonne Uhlig-Möser leads the company, founded in 2022, which is 100 percent owned by the insolvent Domaines Kilger GmbH & Co KG.

Causes of bankruptcy

The winery cites the sharp rise in inflation-related costs in recent years as the main reasons for the imbalance. The areas of winery and vineyard management as well as energy, personnel, packaging and transport costs were particularly affected. At the same time, increasing price pressure has made it more difficult to pass on cost increases to the market.

A major blow was the insolvency of a central sales company in 2025. As a result, no new wines could be bottled, which meant important sales were lost. In addition, the operation of the Buschenschank “Boho” had a negative impact on the balance sheet – it has now been discontinued. An above-average harvest volume in Styria in 2025 also led to significant sales problems.

Restructuring already initiated

The company, which specializes in high-quality wines, wants to continue operations. Substantial restructuring measures had already been taken in advance to sustainably improve profitability and create a leaner operational organization.

“The restructuring administrator to be appointed will now have to check whether continuation is in the interests of the creditors and whether the restructuring plan presented can be adhered to,” explains René Jonke from KSV1870.

Audit meeting at the parent company

According to AKV, two months after the opening of bankruptcy proceedings against Domaines Kilger GmbH & Co KG, the examination meeting took place on Thursday at the Graz Regional Court for Civil Law Matters. The extent of the insolvency is becoming increasingly clear: creditors have registered claims totaling 83.47 million euros, of which almost 51 million euros have been recognized so far.

The regional court opened bankruptcy proceedings on February 23rd, and just one week later the company’s business operations were suspended by court order. The disputed claims amounting to around 32.5 million euros mainly relate to companies from the “Kilger group of companies” that were downgraded due to subordination in accordance with the Capital Act.

Extensive real estate portfolio in the south of Austria

Domaines Kilger functioned primarily as an ownership company and managed an extensive real estate portfolio in Styria, Carinthia and Burgenland. The company acquired properties and made these available to subsidiaries and sub-subsidiaries or leased them to third parties. The real estate assets include wine-growing areas, agricultural land including forests, catering buildings such as partially leased wine taverns, accommodation establishments and business properties.

All properties are subject to liens from banks, which makes realization even more difficult. The assessment and assessment of the real estate assets has not yet been completed. What makes matters worse is that ongoing management is sometimes necessary to maintain the value of the properties.

Chain insolvency affects the entire group of companies

The insolvency has now affected the entire group of companies. Insolvency proceedings have been filed or have already been opened over the assets of seven other companies, including the Domaines Kilger GmbH, Domaines Kilger Gastro GmbH & Co KG, Ratschens Restaurant & Wohnothek GmbH, Domaines Kilger Schloss Gamlitz GmbH and Domaines Kilger Wein GmbH.

According to the AKV, the exploitation is complex because operational operations of subsidiaries are located on the properties. The liquidator must therefore exploit properties and businesses in a coordinated manner.

Hope for the continuation of individual businesses

Not all news is negative: individual investments are considered worthy of continuing and have a good market positioning. The “Peterquelle” is mentioned as an example, for which sales negotiations are already underway. Other investments, however, will have to be liquidated. The relevant examinations and preparations are currently underway.

The existing movable fixed and current assets have a market value of around 541,000 euros, a significant part of which is encumbered by leasing and bank financing with retention of title. In addition to the realization of assets, the liquidator will also have to examine claims under corporate law.

The final level of the insolvency rate for creditors remains open for the time being and will largely depend on the proceeds from the exploitation of the extensive real estate portfolio.