Part 3 – Destination Austria: The Danube Region

Austria boasts some amazing wine. If you’re in the country, and you have a day or two or three, I’d recommend checking out the Danube wine growing region.

While Wachau, a picturesque landscape with vines growing on steep terraced slopes, no doubt deserves the picture-perfect accolades, we recommend also checking out fantastic neighboring wine regions including Kamptal, Kremstal, and Traisental.

All known for their Grüner Veltliner & Riesling, you’ll find some great views, breath-taking vineyards, and experience true Austrian hospitality in a local Heuriger, or wine house.

Kamptal

Home to Austria’s largest wine producing town, Langenlois, this region is arguably the most touristic region for wine tourism in Austria.

You can’t visit the Kamptal Valley without a trip to the Loisium World of Wine (photo, left). While it’s technically a museum it’s more like an American-style amusement park-like experience.

Both kids and adults will be hypnotized the moment they step into the elevator and descend into the gigantic steel fermentation tank. A water and light show greets unsuspecting visitors as they begin the tour that winds through the history of wine making, old cellars, and eventually into the Weingut Steininger’s own wine making facility.

Is it worth the trip? I’d say so, but know that you’ll feel more like you’ve stepped into California Adventure for an hour or two, minus the Rock n’ Rollercoaster. It’s a totally un-European experience in Europe, so soak it up… or avoid it if you prefer mom-n-pop rustic.

Step next door into the ultra modern Wine & Spa Resort Loisium Hotel (picture on right), or spend a romantic night in this cozy hotel amongst the vineyards. There’s an amazing restaurant, a first-class spa, and access to more Austrian wines than you can possibly imagine. Just make sure to share a room with someone near and dear to you because the glass-enclosed bathroom situation is intimate. Perfect for Honeymooners, in fact.

If you’re celebrating something special, open a bottle of delicious Weingut Steininger sparkling wine, produced just a few feet away.

In Kamptal, also be sure and check out Fred Loimer, an amazing winemaker whose wines, thankfully, are readily available at a few great places here in the United States.

Kremstal

Geologically similar to Wachau, Kremstal is home to fabulous scenery and an interesting historical past. Idyllic, quaint wine producing towns dot the countryside.

The giant monastery, Stift Göttweig, stands atop a hill in the Dunkelsteiner Forest. There’s a restaurant with an amazing view and the beautiful Abbey is open for you to explore. If you’re lucky, you’ll run into an ambitious elderly monk who loves to practice his English!

The Göttweig Monastery wine estate has been in continuous operation since 1083. With this many years to perfect wine making, the Göttweiger Berg Riesling, has amazing citrus as well as apricot notes. It’s fresh and the minerality provides a nice balance making this dry Riesling perfect for amazing salads, fish, chicken, and an array of appetizers.

Traisental

A popular destination for hikers, cyclists, and wine enthusiasts, Traisental won’t disappoint wine lovers who enjoy an active lifestyle!

When the weather is good, pick up a cycling map to tour the region. But, be sure to plan your wine visits ahead of time… calling in advance assures you won’t be biking the distance to find a locked door.

Either way, cozy wine houses like Heuriger Huber greet visitors year round and will fill you with good wine as well as local treats. Just be sure to double check seasonal hours.

It’s likely you’ll be hearing more and more about the Traisental region in years to come. A new generation of winemakers, with global mindsets, are changing the way wine is being made and introducing Traisental to the world.

One such example is Markus Huber, owner and winemaker at Weingut Markus Huber.  Still young, in his early 30s, the winery has experienced staggering growth in a relatively short period of time. Make sure his winery is part of your Traisental itinerary. The tasting room is modern, cozy, and the wines will leave you calculating just how many bottles your suitcase can hold!

Red Wines

I’m aware I haven’t even discussed Austrian red wines in this particular series and I want to make it clear… they shouldn’t be ignored because they’re equally as delicious and definitely deserve more than a passing mention. St. Laurent, Zweigelt, Blaufränkish, Blauer Wildbacher, Blauer Portugieser, and Blauburger are just a few examples of many red wine varieties found in Austria.

Once such bottle is a 2006 Pinot Noir from Weingut Bründlmayer in Kamptal. An earthy smell with forrest-like quality, it has amazing body that coats the mouth yet is so smooth it literally glides down your throat. It was, hands down, the TravelPlusWine’s favorite red wine of the trip.

Next time you’re in Austria, make wine country a part of your journey!

In case you missed it… here are the other articles in this series:

Part 1: Austria’s Flagship Wine: The Grüner Veltliner

Part 2: Wine Tourism in Austria’s Weinviertel & wine reviews

Disclosure: TravelPlusWine visited these wine regions on a sponsored media trip as part of the 2010 European Wine Bloggers Conference in Vienna, Austria.