Austria may be small, but its wine regions produce some of Europe's most distinctive and celebrated wines. From crisp Grüner Veltliner in the Wachau to luscious sweet wines in Burgenland, there's a world of flavour to explore.
Wachau
The Wachau valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site along the Danube west of Vienna, is the crown jewel of Austrian winemaking. Steep terraced vineyards rise dramatically from the river, producing world-class Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. The region uses its own quality classification: Steinfeder (light), Federspiel (medium), and Smaragd (full-bodied). A bottle of top Smaragd Riesling runs €25–€60.
Kamptal
Just north of the Wachau, the Kamptal region around the town of Langenlois is known for mineral-driven white wines. The Heiligenstein vineyard, with its 250-million-year-old desert sandstone soils, produces some of Austria's most age-worthy Rieslings. Winery visits with tastings start from €15 per person.
Burgenland
Surrounding the Neusiedler See — Europe's second-largest steppe lake — Burgenland is Austria's red wine heartland. The Blaufränkisch grape thrives in the iron-rich soils of Mittelburgenland, producing elegant, spicy reds. The area around Rust is famous for Ausbruch, a rare sweet wine made from botrytis-affected grapes, with prices starting from €30 for a half-bottle.
Wien (Vienna)
Vienna is the only major capital city in the world with significant commercial vineyards within its borders. The Heurigen — traditional wine taverns where winemakers serve their own production alongside cold buffets — are an essential Viennese experience. A quarter-litre of Gemischter Satz (a traditional field blend) costs around €4.50 at most Heurigen.
Steiermark (Styria)
Southern Styria, with its rolling green hills reminiscent of Tuscany, produces Austria's finest Sauvignon Blanc. The steep, south-facing vineyards along the Südsteirische Weinstraße offer spectacular views and outstanding cellar-door tastings. Many wineries also produce pumpkin seed oil — Styria's liquid gold.
Our Wine Tours
Our curated wine tours include private tastings, winemaker meetings, and gourmet lunches at family-run estates. The Wachau Day Trip starts at €179 per person, while our 3-day Burgenland Wine & Wellness package is available from €699 including accommodation.
"Austrian wine has undergone a remarkable renaissance. Today, Grüner Veltliner and Blaufränkisch stand alongside the world's great varieties." — Anna Koller