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AUSTRIA

CULTURE WITH WINE AND DESIGN

The charm of Austria may lie in its preservation of a romantic classical past, but this does not mean modern Austria has stood back from development. Behind the stunning scenery and antique architecture a vibrant industrial and commercial society goes about its business in the cities and towns. Austrians work hard, but they also know how to play hard and Austrian hospitality and cuisine are legendary.

 

The country's imperial inheritance is particularly striking in the grand buildings and cultural institutions of the Baroque-flavored capital, Vienna, resplendent with palaces and captivating churches, cozy coffeehouses and inns, and grand ballrooms where Strauss waltzes still draw dancers onto the floor.

 

Our unique wine-adventure begins at American star-architect Steven Holl’s Loisium. A wine experience absolutely in a class by itself, along with the new hotel Wine and Spa Resort by Aveda.

Vienna is the only European capital that can claim its own wine region with vineyards within the city limits. The best known Viennese vintner, Fritz Wieninger of Stammersdorf will introduce us to his vintages with a trip to the Viennese Woods.

 

Culinary discoveries in the city will be varied from a behind the scenes tour of Meinl am Graben, a connoisseur’s haven. A visit to the colorful Naschmarkt. Dining at trendy Osterreicher Im MAK to Figlmueller for traditional fare you will get a taste of Austria today. Spend a morning at Schlumberger, Austria’s oldest sparkling wine cellars, to a pastry demonstration at Demel.

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HIGHLIGHTS

Cruising on the Danube from Krems to Durnstein, the loveliest part of the Wachau Valley.

Visit Willi Bründlmayer's estate in Langenlois; this vintner has a flair for lyricism.

Sleek Loisium rises out of a vineyard as a unique Wine-adventure.

Melk the most impressive Baroque Abbey & see why Napoleon chose it for his headquarters

Pastry class at Demel and learn where 80 tons of sugar, 70 tons of chocolate, 37 tons of apricot jam, are used every year in baking a cake.

Vienna Prater for a ride on the Giant Ferris Wheel

Stroll the trendy shopping mile of Mariahilfer Strasse.

 

WINE REGIONS OF THE HABSBURG

Wachau - Burgenland – Styria

It’s hard to find a winemaking nation with more going for it than today’s Austria. A vigorous wine culture with a distinguished history, plenty of energetic young winemaking talent, great indigenous grape varieties, a range of vine-friendly soils and climates, enthusiasm for the best of modern winemaking techniques—Austria has it all.

 

The Wachau is Austria’s most famous wine growing region. With its abruptly rising hills, nestling baroque villages and ancient monuments, the fascinating Wachau stretch of landscape along the Danube has been declared a World Heritage site. This area is home to some of the best winemakers.

 

The Pannonian climate in Burgenland, is marked by cold winters will little snow, hot, dry summers and a long, mild Indian summer. The Neusiedlersee helps to regulate the climate. Its large shallow expanse mitigates the extreme temperatures and creates the ideal conditions for viticulture. Sitting right on the lake is the Free City of Rust with its famous Ausbruch wines, which in Habsburg times gave it a reputation similar to that of Tokaj in Hungary.

As we move further south, the weather is sunny in this southernmost of Austrian winegrowing regions, but the climate remains cool in most spots, with vineyards extending to altitudes over 1,600 feet above sea level. South Styria is remote enough to offer rural relaxation but is only 45 minutes from Graz where we will base ourselves.

 

Highlights

  • A full day at the Austrian Wine Academy with Dr Josef Schuller MW.

  • Pedal the acclaimed Mur River Cycle Path

  • The little town of Rust, a town famous for its wine and storks that nest on

  • the town rooftops.

  • Glimpse nature in motion on the Neusiedlersee lake, its dewy climate perfect for Trockenbeerenauslese.

  • Burgenland to Graz oozes a romanticism that is completely unique

  • Taste the delicious and famous pumpkin seed oil.

  • Piper Lippizaner Stud Farm near Voitsberg in the western Steiermark.

  • Visit the Esterhazy palace, once the residence of the Hungarian Princes, and many years the home of the composer Joseph Haydn.

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