Rare wine specialities at Vienna´s gates

Local grape varieties such as Rotgipfler and Zierfandler, as well as enjoyable wine taverns make the spa region wine route an Eldorado for gourmets.

Have you ever drunk a Zierfandler, a Rotgipfler or enjoyed a hot 'Heuriger' buffet? An independent wine culture is maintained with local grape varieties and enjoyable wine taverns along the ‘Wine Route’, located in the spa region in the Wienerwald.

The spa region, which starts to the south of Vienna, is one of the most traditional wine districts in Austria. Way back in history, the Romans cultivated wines here and in the Middle Ages, Cistercians and Benedictines cultivated their vineyards.

Autochthonous specialties: Rotgipfler and Zierfandler

In addition to the main Lower Austrian grape varieties such as Grüner Veltliner or Zweigelt, rare specialties such as the Rotgipfler and the Zierfandler flourish in the spa region. The two autochthonous white wine grape varieties appreciate the protected, sunny locations on the edge of the Wienerwald, and are only cultivated significant quantities here.

Unique 'Heuriger' culture

Connoisseurs visit the legendary wine villages on the spa region wine route such as Gumpoldskirchen and Pfaffstätten, not only because of the excellent wines, but also because the wine taverns are very independent. The taverns run by the vintners are characterised by buffets stocked with hot and cold delicacies and are among the best 'Heuriger' in Lower Austria.