3 – 7 June 2019

Looking for something exceptional?
This tour is designed for participants with a thorough knowledge of wine (eg. WSET / MW students and trade professionals).
Set in a wine country that is currently enjoying unparalleled export success and prestige, it provides a detailed insight into five different regions, from the beauty and the drama of the Wachau (UNESCO World Heritage Site) to the impressive expanse of Lake Neusiedl. On the way, we will become acquainted with an unusually large portfolio of grape varieties, from the world´s finest Grüner Veltliner and Blaufränkisch to such rare specialities as Zierfandler and Rotgipfler – great hunting ground for those in search of something different.
For our estate visits, we head to the elite of the Austrian wine world – Franz Hirtzberger and Emmerich Knoll to name just two -, where we will not only get to taste fabulous wines but also discuss in detail with the winemakers.

As if that were not enough, we also have some very special items on the agenda:

• Exclusive visit to the internationally renowned viticultural and oenological centre at Klosterneuburg for a behind-the-scenes look at current research projects
• Masterclass hosted by the “BurgundyMakers” of the Thermenregion, showcasing the region´s signature reds, St. Laurent and Pinot Noir
• Comparative tasting of Ruster Ausbruch, the sweet dessert wine that gave rise to one of the world´s most picturesque wine towns

To further enhance your wine experience, we will take a boat tour on the River Danube (Wachau) – imagine sitting on deck with a glass of wine in hand as you glide gently past legendary vineyard sites. We will sleep within an arm´s reach of vineyards and dine at winery restaurants, which offer authentic cuisine from the finest local ingredients as well as a thriving wine culture, epitomized in the lively tradition of the “Heuriger” (winery taverns). Nowhere is the cherished value of “Gemütlichkeit” more evident.

TOUR DESCRIPTION

Days 1 & 2 – Klosterneuburg & the Wachau

Our tour begins in Vienna, the imperial city on the banks of the River Danube with a vineyard culture no other capital city can rival. From here it is just a short drive upstream to the world-renowned viticultural research centre at Klosterneuburg, where we will gain a fascinating insight into current research projects illustrated, as befitting a wine tour, with some very interesting liquid examples.
Continuing our journey upstream, we arrive in the stunningly beautiful Wachau, famous the world over for its glorious Grüner Veltliners and Rieslings.
To enable us to experience the full beauty of this UNESCO world heritage site, we will take a boat ride along the Danube between visits to the legendary estates of Emmerich Knoll and Franz Hirtzberger. These cult producers work the steep dry stone terraces to create wines of striking intensity that have become highly sought rarities. However, the precipitous terraces are also home to hundreds of small vineyard-holders. Although their name never appears on the bottle, they contribute to the success of one of the country´s most lauded cooperatives, the Domäne Wachau, whose eclectic range – from the classic to their alternative “Backstage” series – is sure to wow any wine lover.

Day 3 – Thermenregion

Leaving the Danube behind us, we head for the Thermenregion on the foothills of the Vienna woods, where the city´s nobility of yesteryear cured their ills in the healing spa waters. But it was not only – and still is – a popular destination for weary city-dwellers. Its mild climate has been beneficial for viticulture since Celtic times. Over the centuries, this historic region has collected an impressive track record, not least as official supplier to the Habsburg monarchy and birthplace of the “Gumpoldskirchner”, a blend of the native white Zierfandler and Rotgipfler varieties which was to become an internationally desired brand. What better place to taste arguably the finest examples of these grapes than from “Mr Zierfandler” himself, Bernhard Stadlmann.
But the Thermenregion is not only about white wines, it has also made a name for itself with its dark-skinned varieties, especially St. Laurent and Pinot Noir. A masterclass with the “Burgundermacher” – an alliance of eight innovative producers with a special passion for Pinot -, will provide an excellent overview of the stylistic range and quality of these elegant reds.

Day 4 – Leithagebirge

Our next stop are the Leitha Mountains, a range of gently rolling hills to the west of Neusiedlersee, Europe´s largest steppe lake. Minerality is the key word here, with the limestone soils proving an excellent base not only for world-class Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc, but also Blaufränkisch, which is here able to express its varietal character with unparalleled precision.
As in the other areas, we will visit the champions of the region, Andi Kollwentz and Georg Prieler. To list all the accolades that these two young gentlemen have earned over the years would fill pages, so suffice for now to give the latest, where Andi received the top award for his superb “Collection of the Year 2018” (Gault Millau) and Georg bronze and silver for his impressive Leithaberg DAC Blaufränkisch 2014 and Pinot Blanc Ried Haidsatz 2015 (Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition 2017).

Day 5 – Rust (Burgenland)

After a day exploring the Leitha mountains, we return to the “royal free city” of Rust on the shores of Lake Neusiedl, which stands out among the more homely villages along our route with its beautifully preserved Baroque and Renaissance facades. The city owes its wealth and international fame to a voluptuously sweet nectar (Ruster Ausbruch), made from noble-rotted grapes in the fashion of Tokaj.
Bringing our tour to a close, we have one final highlight – a comparative tasting of Ausbruch wines from the Cercle Ruster Ausbruch, an association of the city´s producers, including such greats as E.T. Triebaumer, Feiler-Artinger and Heidi Schröck, dedicated to restoring this world classic to its rightful place in Austria´s treasures.

Meeting-point: Hilton Vienna Hotel, Am Stadtpark 1, 1030 Vienna, at. ca. 08.30h on Monday, 3 June 2019
Drop-off: Vienna International Airport in Schwechat, at ca. 16:00h on Friday, 7 June 2019.

Carolyn Lucas M.A. DipWSET