Wine & wine tavern

As Austria’s largest wine region, Lower Austria combines wines full of character with an open, down-to-earth Heurigen culture. Quality, provenance and personal interaction take centre stage – from small family-run businesses to internationally renowned wineries.

First and foremost, the Grüne Veltliner, complemented by Riesling and Zweigelt. The region is also known for its indigenous grape varieties, such as Zierfandler and Rotgipfler, in the Thermenregion. The diversity of soils and climatic zones results in clearly distinguishable styles.

All eight wine-growing regions – Weinviertel, Wachau, Krems Valley ("Kremstal" in German), Kamp Valley ("Kamptal" in German), Traisental, Carnuntum, Wagram and Thermenregion – are regarded as classic wine tavern regions. Here, you can sample wine directly in the wine cellar lanes, at winegrowers’ estates or in modern wine bars – often with a view of the vineyards.

What many people don’t know is that the Heurigen tradition originated in the Thermenregion Vienna Woods. As early as 1380, Duke Albrecht III granted the citizens of Gumpoldskirchen the right to ‘Leutgeben’, that is, to serve their own home-produced wine. The oldest surviving ‘Leutgeben’ ordinance, dating from 1459, comes from Baden.

You can recognise good wine taverns by their clearly displayed opening hours (the ‘Ausg’steckt’ calendar), a selection of wines from their own vineyards and regional dishes. Our wine tavern calendar, as well as awards such as ‘Top Wine Tavern’ or regional quality seals, can help you find your way around.

A Heurigen is open seasonally, not all year round. The dates vary depending on the establishment and region, often coinciding with the grape harvest, spring and summer. You can find the current ‘Ausg’steckt’ times (as the opening hours are known) on the winemakers’ websites, in Heurigen calendars or at local tourist information centres.

Typical choices include regional white wines such as Grüne Veltliner and Riesling; depending on the region, red wines and specialities such as Sturm or grape juice may also be available, as well as indigenous grape varieties such as Zierfandler and Rotgipfler in the Thermenregion. 

These pair well with cold and hot dishes from the buffet or the kitchen – ranging from spreads and bread to seasonal, vegetarian or vegan dishes. Veganer Wine Tavern am Wagram offers a wide selection of vegan dishes.