Early viticulture
Winegrowing was established in parts of present-day Austria during Roman rule, particularly along the Danube and in the east.
Wine Country Guide
Austria
Distinctive grapes, remarkable regions and wines with a strong sense of place.
Discover the country
Austria is a compact but highly diverse wine country, best known for precise dry whites, distinctive indigenous grapes and increasingly serious red wines. Most vineyards lie in the east, where the Danube, Alpine influences, warm Pannonian air and pronounced day–night temperature differences create wines with freshness, clarity and strong regional identity.
01
The story
Wine History
Winegrowing in Austria has ancient roots, with viticulture established during Roman times and later developed by monasteries and estates along the Danube. The modern industry was fundamentally reshaped after the 1985 wine scandal, which brought much stricter regulations and a renewed emphasis on quality, origin and vineyard identity. Austria subsequently rebuilt its international reputation around dry, terroir-driven wines and increasingly precise regional classifications.
Monastic expansion
Monasteries and estates developed vineyards along the Danube and helped establish many historic winegrowing areas.
Modernisation and challenge
Wine production expanded, while phylloxera and changing agricultural practices transformed vineyards and grape growing.
Quality revolution
Stricter wine laws and a new focus on dry wines, vineyard origin and regional identity reshaped Austrian wine.
02
The landscape
Geography & Wine Regions
Austria's vineyards are concentrated in the eastern part of the country. Lower Austria follows the Danube and contains many of the country's best-known white-wine districts. Burgenland stretches around Lake Neusiedl and south towards the Hungarian border, while Styria is characterised by steep vineyards and a cooler, wetter climate. Vienna is unusual among major European capitals in maintaining an important commercial vineyard area within the city.
Niederösterreich (Lower Austria)
Austria's largest winegrowing state and the heartland of Grüner Veltliner and Riesling, containing regions such as Wachau, Kamptal, Kremstal, Traisental and Weinviertel.
Burgenland
Warm eastern Austria, strongly influenced by Lake Neusiedl and known for Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt, structured reds and exceptional sweet wines.
Steiermark (Styria)
A cool, green and hilly region in southern Austria, particularly associated with Sauvignon Blanc, Gelber Muskateller and fresh aromatic whites.
Wien (Vienna)
One of the world's few major capitals with significant vineyards, best known for Wiener Gemischter Satz, the traditional field blend of several white varieties.
Wachau
Steep Danube terraces of stone and primary rock producing some of Austria's most concentrated and age-worthy Grüner Veltliner and Riesling.
Kamptal
Centred around the Kamp River, with varied soils including loess and primary rock and a strong reputation for Grüner Veltliner and Riesling.
Kremstal
Surrounding the town of Krems and the Danube, combining loess terraces and rocky sites for structured Grüner Veltliner and Riesling.
Traisental
Austria's smallest DAC region, noted for limestone-rich soils and taut, mineral Grüner Veltliner and Riesling.
Weinviertel
Austria's largest individual wine region and the classic home of peppery, fresh Grüner Veltliner under the Weinviertel DAC.
Mittelburgenland
Often called Blaufränkischland, this warm central Burgenland region is particularly associated with structured, spicy Blaufränkisch.
Südsteiermark
Dramatically steep vineyards near the Slovenian border, producing expressive Sauvignon Blanc and other aromatic white wines.
03
Growing conditions
Climate & Viticulture
Austria lies at the intersection of several climatic influences. Warm, dry Pannonian air from the east promotes ripening, while cooler Alpine and continental air preserves acidity. The Danube moderates many important Lower Austrian vineyards, and Lake Neusiedl creates warmer, more humid conditions in Burgenland.
Climate
Predominantly continental, with Pannonian and Alpine influences
Altitude
From low-lying vineyards around Lake Neusiedl to steep elevated sites in Styria and along the Danube
Rainfall
Generally moderate, with drier conditions in the east and higher rainfall in Styria
Key influences
Danube River, Lake Neusiedl, Alps, warm Pannonian air and cool continental nights
Viticultural challenges
Spring frost, hail, drought in warmer areas, steep vineyard cultivation and variable rainfall
04
In the vineyard
Key Grape Varieties
Native varieties
Grüner Veltliner
Austria's signature white grape, producing wines from light, peppery and refreshing to concentrated, mineral and age-worthy.
Blaufränkisch
A structured red variety with dark fruit, spice, vibrant acidity and strong regional expression, particularly important in Burgenland.
Zweigelt
Austria's most widely planted red grape, typically producing juicy cherry-fruited wines with supple tannins.
St. Laurent
An aromatic red variety capable of elegant wines with red and dark fruit, spice and fine tannins.
Welschriesling
A high-acid white variety used for fresh dry wines and, around Lake Neusiedl, important botrytised sweet wines.
Gelber Muskateller
Highly aromatic, floral and grapey, particularly successful in the cooler vineyards of Styria.
International varieties
Riesling
Especially important in Wachau, Kamptal, Kremstal and Traisental, producing dry wines with citrus, stone fruit and mineral intensity.
Sauvignon Blanc
A leading variety in Styria, where it can produce precise, aromatic and mineral wines with serious ageing potential.
Chardonnay
Known locally as Morillon in parts of Styria and used for both still wines and Austrian sparkling wine.
Pinot Blanc
Known as Weissburgunder, producing restrained, textured whites in several Austrian regions.
05
In the glass
Principal Wine Styles
Austria's wine identity is broader than Grüner Veltliner alone. The country's regions produce a spectrum ranging from fresh dry whites to structured reds, traditional field blends, bottle-fermented sparkling wines and some of Europe's most distinctive sweet wines.
Dry Grüner Veltliner
From light, peppery everyday wines to concentrated single-vineyard examples with citrus, orchard fruit and mineral depth.
Dry Riesling
Typically dry and precise, showing stone fruit, citrus, high acidity and strong vineyard expression.
Styrian Aromatic Whites
Sauvignon Blanc and Gelber Muskateller thrive in Styria's cooler, steep vineyards, producing fragrant and energetic wines.
Blaufränkisch
Structured, savoury reds with dark berries, peppery spice, lively acidity and the capacity to age.
Zweigelt
Juicy, approachable reds centred on cherry and plum fruit, with styles ranging from light to barrel-aged.
Wiener Gemischter Satz
Vienna's traditional field blend, in which several white varieties are planted, harvested and fermented together.
Austrian Sekt
Sparkling wines produced in several regions, including serious traditional-method expressions from Austrian-grown grapes.
Noble Sweet Wines
Burgenland is renowned for Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese and Ruster Ausbruch made from botrytised grapes.
06
Reference
Famous Wines & Appellations
Wachau DAC Grüner Veltliner
Wachau DAC Riesling
Kamptal DAC
Kremstal DAC
Traisental DAC
Weinviertel DAC Grüner Veltliner
Wiener Gemischter Satz DAC
Mittelburgenland DAC Blaufränkisch
Eisenberg DAC
Leithaberg DAC
Ruster Ausbruch DAC
Styrian Sauvignon Blanc
Austrian Sekt
07
vino.sg portfolio
Producers We Work With
Markus Huber
K+K Kirnbauer
08
Understanding the label
Wine Classification
Austria combines a national quality hierarchy with an increasingly important system of regional DAC appellations. DAC stands for Districtus Austriae Controllatus and identifies wines that express the legally defined grape varieties and styles of a particular region.
01
Wein
Basic Austrian wine category without a more specific protected regional designation.
02
Landwein
Regional wine produced within one of Austria's broader winegrowing areas.
03
Qualitätswein
Quality wine from an officially recognised Austrian wine region, subject to defined production requirements.
04
DAC
Regional appellation wines defined by origin, permitted grapes and stylistic requirements.
05
Prädikatswein
Categories based primarily on grape ripeness and production method, particularly important for Austria's sweet wines.
09
At the table
Food & Wine Culture
Austrian wine has developed alongside a cuisine that values acidity and freshness at the table. Grüner Veltliner is particularly versatile with schnitzel, pork, freshwater fish and vegetable dishes, while Riesling suits seafood and richer fish. Blaufränkisch works naturally with roast meats, venison and mushrooms, and Burgenland sweet wines pair well with blue cheese and rich desserts.
Traditional pairings
Wiener Schnitzel Roast pork Freshwater fish Shellfish Roast chicken Mushroom dishes Vegetable dishes Asian cuisine Aged cheese Fruit dessertsThe essential character
What Defines the Wines of Austria
Austria combines indigenous grape varieties, pronounced regional identities and a strong preference for dry, food-friendly wines. Even richer examples tend to retain freshness and definition, while the DAC system increasingly places vineyard origin and regional character at the centre of Austrian wine.
Explore the collection
Wines from Austria
11
wines
in this collection
Huber
Markus Huber Sauvignon Blanc Terrassen 2025 | Lower Austria, Austria
$50.00
Huber
Markus Huber Riesling Ried Berg Premier Cru 2024 | Traisental, Austria
$120.00
Huber
Markus Huber Riesling Terrassen 2025 | Traisental, Austria
$50.00
Huber
Markus Huber Grüner Veltliner Ried Berg Premier Cru 2024 | Traisental, Austria
$120.00
Huber
Markus Huber Grüner Veltliner Obere Steigen 2025 | Traisental, Austria
$55.00
K+K Kirnbauer
K+K Kirnbauer Forever Cuvée 2020 | Burgenland, Austria
$241.00
K+K Kirnbauer
K+K Kirnbauer Das Phantom Cuvée 2024 | Burgenland, Austria
$92.00
K+K Kirnbauer
K+K Kirnbauer Blaufränkisch Gold Reserve 2022 | Burgenland, Austria
$92.00
K+K Kirnbauer
K+K Kirnbauer Houdini Zweigelt Reserve 2023 | Burgenland, Austria
$80.00
K+K Kirnbauer
K+K Kirnbauer Zwickl Chardonnay Reserve | Burgenland, Austria
$81.00
K+K Kirnbauer
K+K Kirnbauer Wilde Wilde White 2025 | Burgenland, Austria
$52.00Continue your journey
Explore Austrian Wine
Discover the range from precise Traisental whites to structured Burgenland reds, and explore how Austria's grapes and regions translate into the glass.
View All 11 Wines