Austria is on the same latitude as the Burgundy wine region in France, so it’s no surprise that the Alpine country produces some of the best wines in the world.
But simply drinking Austrian wine and actually visiting a winery are two very different experiences, with the latter often transforming newbie wine connoisseurs into life-long oenophiles.
So, for anyone visiting Austria this summer - or for any burgeoning wine geeks out there - here’s a guide to the best wineries to visit to get an authentic taste of Austrian wine.
Where are Austria’s wine regions?
Grapes for winemaking are grown in every federal state in Austria, but the east of the country is best known as Austria’s wine region.
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Lower Austria, Vienna, Burgenland and Styria are the most prominent wine producing areas in Austria, and Vienna is one of the few capital cities in the world that can boast a wine industry within the city limits.
In these regions, the land is less mountainous than in the west of Austria and the climate is slightly warmer, especially in summer and autumn. This is important for growing grapes, although Austria is still considered as a “cold climate” country when it comes to winemaking.
Today, Vienna is considered as one of the world’s classic wine regions, and wine making is so embedded in the city that there is one wine producer for every 2,500 residents.
Austria is mostly known for producing white wine, such as Riesling, Grüner Veltliner and Chardonnay, as well as a wide selection of light red wines, such as Blaufränkisch and Zweigelt.
Additionally, Austrian winemakers produce some famous cuvée, such as Vienna’s Gemischter Satz (a blend of at least three grapes from the same vineyard).
Mayer am Nussberg, Vienna
A favourite with locals in Vienna is Mayer am Nussberg, which is technically a Heuriger (a wine tavern).
Mayer am Nussberg is located in the middle of a vineyard with views overlooking Vienna and is only open on good weather days from Thursday to Sunday (as well as public holidays).
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Guests can sample a variety of wines by the glass or the bottle, including the Mayer am Nussberg classic house red and white wines. Snacks and regional delicacies are also available to order alongside the wine.
Visitors can make their way to the winery with the Heurigen Express (which runs from Vienna between April and October), by a hiking trail from the Kahlenberg Station or via tram line D.
Grafen Bergerin, Carinthia
Recommended by Carinthia resident Wyn Owen, Grafen Bergerin is the province’s highest vineyard, located at 880 metres above sea level in Flattach.
Grafen Bergerin is a fairly new vineyard - planted in 2012 - but already boasts 1,600 vines growing Regent, Zweigelt, Merlot and Rösler varieties.
Not only is Grafen Bergerin open to visitors for tastings, but owner Ernestine Berger also organises vineyard hikes from September to October, which ends with a wine tasting at the Weingut (winery).
Domäne Wachau, Lower Austria
This is one of Austria's top wineries that was voted number one in Europe and third in the world in the 2020 World's Best Vineyards rankings.
It is located on the banks of the Danube River where winemaker Heinz Frischengruber works with vintner families from across the Wachau Valley to produce a range of white, red and rose wines.
Visitors to Domäne Wachau can explore the Baroque cellars and sample a selection of the wines every Saturday at 11am from June to October. The price is €15 per person and includes a tasting a four different wines.
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Tastings outside of the scheduled times can be organised by request, and they can also be facilitated in Czech or Slovak.
Additionally, Domäne Wachau runs special activities throughout the summer months, such as yoga and wine, music and street food events.
Hirtzberger, Wachau, Lower Austria
Wine buffs highly recommend Weingut Franz Hirtzberger in the Wachau for sampling Austrian white wines.
The Wachau Valley is an internationally-renowned wine region and UNESCO world heritage site, and the vines at Hirtzberger have been growing at the site since the 13th century.
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The winery has also been in the Hirtzberger family for five generations and is still run as a small family business today.
As a result, the website advises visitors to book in advance to make an appointment for a tasting. They are closed on Sundays and public holidays.
Weingut Knoll, Wachau, Lower Austria
Another winery well-known for its white wines (and grand, distinctive labels) is Knoll, which has been in operation since the 1950s.
Riesling and Grüner Veltliner are the most famous Knoll wines to taste during a visit to the Dürnstein-based winery, but the family also produces highly-rated Gelber Muskateller.
The website advises guests to book an appointment for tastings in advance.
Umathum, Burgenland
For red wines, look no further than Umathum in Frauenkirchen in Neusiedl am See - another prime location for wine touring in Austria that is easy to reach from Vienna.
Umathum has 30 hectares of vines on both sides of Lake Neusiedl with around 85 percent dedicated to the Austrian red varieties of Zweigelt, St. Laurent and Blaufränkisch.
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Umathum has also been consistently ranked as a top wine grower in Austria since the 1990s, which further adds to its appeal.
The wine estate is open to visitors from Monday to Saturday and is closed on Sundays and public holidays.
Stift Klosterneuburg, Lower Austria
The architecturally-stunning Klosterneuburg Abbey in Lower Austria is home to one of Austria’s oldest wineries, boasting a blend of traditional and modern winemaking practices and centuries of history.
Wine tours take visitors through the Baroque cellar complex down to a depth of 36 metres to learn about the background to the estate and how it operates today. There is then an optional wine tasting at the end.
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At the top of the tasting list should be the award-winning Wiener Gemischter Satz and the Pinot Noir, but all Klosterneuburg wines are regularly awarded high points by judges.
Tickets for the wine tour cost around €11 and includes admission to the abbey. Wine tasting is an additional cost.
Klosterneuburg is easy to reach from Vienna by bus, train or car.
Useful vocabulary
Wein - wine
Weingut - winery
Weißwein - white wine
Rotwein - red wine
Heuriger - wine tavern
Vinothek - wine shop
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