La Maison Tea Royal

La Maison Tea Royal was founded in spring 2024 by three winemaker friends from South Styria (Südsteiermark), Austria. The house produces sparkling tea from this region, and its range spans beverages at 0.0% ABV alongside one wine-tea hybrid.^[1]

The three co-founders of La Maison Tea Royal are Bernhard Schauer, Johannes Firmenich, and Stefan Schauer, described as winemaker friends from South Styria. Two of the estates behind the house — Weingut Firmenich and Weingut Schauer — carry the founders' names.^[1]

La Maison Tea Royal builds its sparkling teas with a winemaker's hand (Winzerhand), drawing on ingredients from its own organically farmed vineyards and orchards in South Styria. Grape seeds and grape skins from these vineyards are used across the range to provide tannins and bitter substances, translating a viticultural sensibility into a tea base.^[1]

La Maison Tea Royal's lineup comprises four beverages: Blooming Rose Tea No. 7, Herbal Garden Tea No. 9, White Blossom Tea No. 13, and Vin Royal No. 59 Sauvignon Blanc. The three numbered teas are sparkling teas at 0.0% ABV, each built on its own tea foundation.^[2]

Vin Royal No. 59 Sauvignon Blanc departs from the 0.0% teas: it combines sparkling tea with Sauvignon Blanc into what the producer calls a light, elegant aperitif, and carries 1.8% alcohol.^[2],[3]

Each beverage is built on a tea foundation then layered with grape-derived tannin and base-specific florals and herbs. Across the three numbered teas — Blooming Rose Tea No. 7, Herbal Garden Tea No. 9, and White Blossom Tea No. 13 — a shared set of estate-grown botanicals, lavender and linden blossom, runs alongside base-specific aromatics. Grape seeds and grape skins from the producer's own organically farmed vineyards run through the entire tea range, contributing tannins and bitter substances for body and fullness.^[1]

Grape seed & skin tannin. Grape seeds and grape skins from the house's own organically farmed vineyards provide tannins and bitter substances for a full-bodied structure. This technique recurs across the numbered teas.

• Blooming Rose Tea No. 7 — grape seeds and skins for tannins and bitter substances, giving a full-bodied flavour
• Herbal Garden Tea No. 9 — grape seeds and skins for tannins and bitter compounds and a full-bodied flavour
• White Blossom Tea No. 13 — grape seeds and skins for tannins and bitter compounds, adding body and fullness

Oak-barrel ageing. White Blossom Tea No. 13 is aged in oak barrels after production, which imparts fine tannins, a gentle wood note, structure, depth, and a hint of warmth. The barrel also contributes harmonious roasted aromas and tannins that show on its palate.

Tea bases. Each tea in the range is anchored to a distinct tea foundation.

• Blooming Rose Tea No. 7 — Ceylon black tea (Ceylon is the former name of Sri Lanka, until 1972), contributing subtle floral notes, together with hibiscus blossoms as the base
• Herbal Garden Tea No. 9 — green tea (grassy-fresh, mild and gentle) and Greek mountain tea (Sideritis, lemony-minty with a hint of cinnamon) as its two main ingredients
• White Blossom Tea No. 13 — white tea as main ingredient, lending gentle elegance and a subtle, floral aroma described as elegant softness reminiscent of fresh blossoms and morning lightness
• Vin Royal No. 59 Sauvignon Blanc — green tea and Greek mountain tea

Botanical & floral infusions. A recurring set of estate-grown florals and blossoms threads through the teas, providing herbal and floral aromatics.^[1]

• Lavender, from the producer's own orchard, described as sweetly herbaceous with hints of rosemary — used in Blooming Rose Tea No. 7, Herbal Garden Tea No. 9, and White Blossom Tea No. 13
• Linden blossom, contributing aromas of anise, chamomile, and elderflower with a floral warmth — used in Blooming Rose Tea No. 7, Herbal Garden Tea No. 9, and White Blossom Tea No. 13
• Hibiscus blossoms — base of Blooming Rose Tea No. 7, giving its salmon-pink colour and a fruity, citrus note

Estate Sauvignon Blanc. The Sauvignon Blanc used in Vin Royal No. 59 comes from the producer's own estates, Weingut Firmenich and Weingut Schauer, located in the Südsteiermark (South Styria) region.^[4]

Blooming Rose Tea No. 7. Fine perlage and a noble salmon-pink colour, with aromas of fresh red berries, herbs, and black elderberry. The structure is delicately creamy, with a hint of honey and linden blossom.

Herbal Garden Tea No. 9. Golden-yellow with lively bubbles, showing Mediterranean herbs, ripe citrus fruits, juicy apples, and hay flowers on the palate. It is described as finely structured and full of elegance.

White Blossom Tea No. 13. Golden in colour with fine bubbles, offering apple peel, juicy pear, and hay flower on the nose. The palate is faceted with ripe pome fruit and dried herbs, a dense structure carrying harmonious roasted aromas and tannins from the oak barrel.

Vin Royal No. 59 Sauvignon Blanc. Golden yellow with a lively perlage, showing citrus, green fruit, and fine herbal notes over a clear, dry structure. The producer positions it as a light, elegant aperitif.^[4]