Joachim Gradwohl, born in Ebenfurth, Lower Austria, has had a successful career that has included positions at Eckhart Witzigmann's ' Aubergine' in Munich (Witzigmann regards Gradwohl as one of his finest protégées) and the ' Palm d' Or' in Cannes as well as at the `Steirereck` in Vienna. Joachim was Chef de Cuisine with the ' Three Husaren' , and then at the ' Maestro' the acclaimed restaurant at the Vienna Concert Hall. From 2003 until last month, he was Chef de Cuisine at 'Meinl am Graben' in Vienna, which has garnered many honours and awards under his leadership such as three Gault Millau chefs hats, and five stars in the ' A la carte 2005' and also `Best Restaurant 2005' in the Falstaff magazine.

Chef Joachim Gradwohl has developed his own unique culinary style which combines Mediterranean cuisine with fresh products of the season and was awarded the prestigious 2007 Gault Millau Chef of the Year Award.

Joachim was cooking and matching some extra ordinary Austrian white wines from Ewald Zwetick, a Southern Styrian Winemaker at Le Pont de Vie last week. See some photos from his vist below:

The vineyard of Ewald Zweytick in the southern part of Austria boasts most favourable soil conditions. Zweytick's father and grandfather one ran a winery in Ratsch on the South Styrian Wine Trail - however Ewald Zweytick is considered to be a complete newcomer to the business, who first came into his own in wine growing after a diverse career. His vineyards include both a classic line of various varieties and a Barrique series of Sauvignon Blanc, Grauburgender and Morillon with the catchy names "Don't Cry", "Toska" and "November Rain". His work, particularly when it involves his favourite wine, is just as straightforward as the person Ewald Zweytick: His vision is to create the very best Sauvignon Blanc in a barrique barrel.