Vienna and wine—a surprising combination for many, but something that comes naturally to us Viennese. Hardly any other capital city in the world has significant vineyards right within its city limits. And our neighborhood, of all places, is right in the middle of it: The vineyards stretch from Ottakring through Hernals all the way up to Pötzleinsdorf.
A wine town right in the heart of the city
The best-known wine-growing towns are located in the 19th district—Grinzing, Nussdorf, Sievering, and Neustift am Walde—along with Stammersdorf and Strebersdorf on the Bisamberg, as well as Oberlaa and Mauer in the south. Here, on limestone-rich soils, Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, Pinot Blanc, and Chardonnay are the primary varieties grown.
The Viennese Mixed String Ensemble
The city’s specialty is the “Wiener Gemischte Satz”: several grape varieties planted together in the same vineyard, harvested together, and pressed together. This traditional method of cultivation made the harvest less dependent on the weather, because the varieties ripen at different times. Since 2013, the Gemischte Satz has been recognized as its own protected designation of origin—the epitome of Viennese wine.
Fall—the season of the grape harvest and storms
The harvest takes place in September and October, and with it comes a storm of flavor to the table: young, cloudy, half-fermented grape must—seductively sweet and more potent than you’d expect from the first sip. It’s precisely during this time that most wine taverns are open daily, and the selection is at its greatest.
The Heuriger—where you can try it all
Grinzing is the best-known Heuriger village; Nussdorf is idyllically situated on the Danube; and Neustift am Walde is considered a somewhat quieter alternative, popular among locals. Stammersdorf offers the most rustic atmosphere and is the least touristy of the three. Orders are usually placed at the buffet, and drinks are served at the table—it’s best to watch how the regulars do it. You can find out more about Viennese wine on the Vienna Tourism website.
If you’re visiting us in the fall, it’s especially worth making a detour to a Heuriger—have a glass of Sturm or an eighth of a bottle of Gemischter Satz, and you’ll have tasted a genuine piece of Vienna …
