The acronym “DAC” stands for Districtus Austriae Controllatus and is the legal abbreviation given to an Austrian Qualitätswein (quality wine) that is particularly typical of its region. There are currently 18 DAC appellations.

In other words, if “DAC” appears on a wine label immediately after the name of the wine-growing region (e.g. Kamptal DAC), it means that the wine inside displays the unmistakeable characteristics of that wine-growing region. Only wines with this character are allowed to feature the name of that specific region on the label. This puts the emphasis on the wine’s origin and makes the wine all the more distinguishable.

The establishment of a DAC regulation

All specific wine-growing regions in Austria primarily market the wines that differentiate their particular region from others because these wines are particularly suited to local conditions and have a long-established importance. When a region is deciding what to grow, both viticultural and strategic marketing criteria need to be considered. For example, some grape varieties are less well-suited to the character of a particular region, for example Schilcher would not tend to be grown along the Danube, and Grüner Veltliner not in Steiermark. If a region decides to concentrate on wines that are typical for the area, and in doing so only allows wines of that type to use the region’s name on labels, then the process to acquire DAC status can begin.

The first step in the process is for the Regional Wine Committee – which is made up of local grape producers, winemakers, traders, etc. – to define the regional typicity and winegrowing policy. The typicity includes factors such as grape variety/varieties, harvesting methods, ageing and taste.

Once the committee reaches a consensus, a draft regulation is drawn up together with experts from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, the Chamber of Agriculture, the Federal Economic Chamber and Austrian Wine. The draft is then submitted to the National Wine Committee for approval.

The National Wine Committee then submits the final application to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture. If the application is approved and becomes law, wines can only be labelled with the name of the region and the DAC suffix (Districtus Austriae Controllatus) if they correspond to the defined typicity of that particular region. All other Qualitätswein must be labelled with the name of the generic wine-growing region (= the name of the federal state) in which the DAC region is located (e.g. “Steiermark” rather than “Südsteiermark”).

Points defined in a DAC regulation

A DAC regulation can define various factors relating to wine production. These points, which define the unique typicity of origin, can include grape variety and cultivation methods, as well as the earliest permitted opportunity to bring a wine to market.

Grape varieties

Firstly, a wine-growing region determines their flagship grape variety/varieties. This is not an arbitrary decision; it results from wine-growing traditions in that region, as well as the region’s climatic conditions and soil characteristics. Some regions (e.g. Eisenberg and Traisental) have decided to focus on one or two grape varieties, while other regions (e.g. Steiermark and Wachau) use a wider range of grape varieties to produce the characteristic diversity of wines with their particular designation of origin.

Cultivation & harvesting

A region’s typicity may not be defined by the wine style alone, but also their particular cultivation practices. This is the case in the wine-growing region of Wien, where the Gemischter Satz field blend is so rooted in the region that the Wiener Gemischter Satz DAC was established to protect the traditional methodology of growing different grape varieties in the same vineyard and processing them together. Some regions also list how their grapes should be harvested in their DAC regulation. For example, for the DAC regions of Rust and Wachau as well as the ones in the state of Styria, harvesting by hand is compulsory.

Alcohol & residual sugar

Each region may define the required alcohol by volume or residual sugar content of their wines, whether these be light or robust, dry or sweet. Those factors can also be defined for every single tier or grape variety within the region’s system of origins.

Ageing & sensory characteristics

Grape varieties alone do not define the regional typicity; a wine’s ageing process, taste, aroma and colour can also play a critical role and be defined clearly in the regulation process. If a wine is to be marketed as a DAC, a tasting commission decides on what factors make the wine typical of the region.

Bringing to market

Alongside criteria relating to cultivation, processing and characteristics of the final product, DAC regulations also often include marketing criteria. These include, for example, the earliest date that the wine can be brought to market, to ensure that the wine can age for the length of time it typically requires. Regions are also welcome to create a common logo for marketing their regionally typical wines. DAC wines are usually also subject to certain labelling regulations.

Origin tiers and more specific designations of origin

Many regions divide their wines into different tiers according to their degree of ageing and/or more specific designations of origin. Firstly, use of the term “Reserve” is subject to regulation. It is forbidden to use the term “Reserve” for wines with typicity of origin (i.e. with DAC status), unless the relevant DAC regulation expresses otherwise. In this instance, DAC regulations generally define the earliest possible date that an application for an inspection number can be submitted, differing from the general wine labelling regulations.

The trend amongst many DAC wines is towards a clear profiling into three tiers of wine with more specific designations of origin: Gebietswein (regional wine), Ortswein (“villages” wine) and Riedenwein (single-vineyard wine). This underlines the exact typicity of a wine’s origin – whether this be a larger region, a specific village or community or even an individual vineyard.

Further information about more specific designations of origin

Origins for DAC wine

2003 marked the beginnings of the DAC system. Since then, it has expanded across all specific wine-growing regions. As a result, there are now (as at July 2023) 18 DAC origins that indicate wines with regional typicity.

Wagram DAC

© Austrian Wine / Robert Herbst

Wagram DAC

This wine-growing region (2,450 hectares) is split in two by the Danube. The area to the north, with its majestic loess terraces, produces some of the greatest Grüner Veltliners in Austria, as well as rarer white Roter Veltliner wines. South of the Danube, near to Vienna, the historic wine town of Klosterneuburg is home to the oldest viticulture school in the world, founded in 1860. In terms of wines with a protected designation of origin, Grüner Veltliner, Roter Veltliner and Riesling are top of the class, producing Wagram DAC Riedenwein (single-vineyard wine). At the Ortswein (villages wine) and Gebietswein (regional wine) levels, the Wagram region expresses its diversity in both red and white varieties.

More information on the Wagram wine-growing region

Wachau

Wachau DAC

© Austrian Wine/Robert Herbst

Wachau DAC

The narrow valley of the Danube between Melk and Krems is a World Heritage Site. Grüner Veltliner and Riesling are the main varieties planted here, across a total of 1,296 hectares of vineyards – many of which are found on steep terraces cut into the primary rock. The regionally typical Wachau DAC wines reflect the diversity of the region’s grapes in Gebietswein (regional wine) and Ortswein (village wine), while the flagship varieties, Grüner Veltliner and Riesling, come to the fore in Riedenwein (single-vineyard wine). The region is also known for its Steinfeder, Federspiel and Smaragd designations.

Read more about the Wachau wine-growing region

Kremstal

Kremstal DAC

© Austrian Wine/Philipp Forstner

Kremstal DAC

The 2,267 hectares of vineyards in this region are split into three separate zones: the historic city of Krems and the rocky Krems valley itself, the imposing eastern loess areas, and the small wine villages south of the Danube around Göttweig Abbey. Together, these areas comprise a DAC appellation focused on two of the best white wine grape varieties in the world: Grüner Veltliner and Riesling.

Read more about the Kremstal wine-growing region

Kamptal

Kamptal DAC

© Austrian Wine/Marcus Wiesner

Kamptal DAC

With a total of 3,583 hectares under vine, and a large number of top-rated estates, Kamptal is one of Austria’s most successful wine-growing regions. Loess and primary rock are the most common soil types here. Several vineyard sites, for example the famous Heiligenstein, also have volcanic soil. DAC status is granted to Grüner Veltliner and Riesling wines here.

Read more about the Kamptal wine-growing region

Traisental

Traisental DAC

© Austrian Wine/Philipp Forstner

Traisental DAC

With 855 hectares, this wine-growing region is small and exquisite. With their spicy, mineral characteristics, Traisental’s DAC varieties of Grüner Veltliner and Riesling have already gained an international following. The region’s romantic wine villages and welcoming wine taverns (known as Heurige) are genuine insider secrets for travelling wine fans.

Read more about the Traisental wine-growing region

Weinviertel

Weinviertel DAC

© Austrian Wine/Johannes Brunnbauer

Weinviertel DAC

Austria’s largest specific wine-growing region (13,841 hectares) is home to a wide range of varieties, but Grüner Veltliner clearly stands out. These wines have a strong regional character that includes a marked spicy, peppery nose. In 2003, Grüner Veltliner from the Weinviertel was the first Austrian wine to gain DAC status.

Read more about the Weinviertel wine-growing region

Carnuntum

Carnuntum DAC

© Austrian Wine / Anna Stöcher

Carnuntum DAC

Vines were first planted in the historical Carnuntum wine-growing region by the Romans. This region, in which 822 hectares are under vine, is home to well-structured white wines and some of Austria’s finest red wines. Carnuntum DAC may be made from Grüner Veltliner, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Zweigelt or Blaufränkisch. The latter finds its ideal terroir on the calcareous soils of the Spitzerberg.

Read more about the Carnuntum wine-growing region

<p>Ein Bild zeigt die Ried Eichkogel in der Thermenregion bei Sonnenaufgang.</p>

Thermenregion DAC


Thermenregion DAC

The Thermenregion comprises 1,851 hectares of vineyards bordering the Vienna Woods and is the latest addition to the list of Niederösterreich DAC origins. From the 2023 vintage onwards, typical wines produced from both indigenous and Pinot varieties are marketed as “Thermenregion DAC”. In the north of the region, fruity, full-bodied white wines produced from indigenous Zierfandler and Rotgipfler varieties are prevalent. Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc are also distinctive of this area. The south of the region is a stronghold of red wines such as black-cherry-scented Sankt Laurent and elegant Pinot Noir.

More information on the Thermenregion wine-growing region

Neusiedlersee

Neusiedlersee DAC

© Austrian Wine/Rober Herbst

Neusiedlersee DAC

The Neusiedlersee wine-growing region to the east of Lake Neusiedl covers 6,020 hectares between the town of Neusiedl and the Hungarian border, spanning the hills around the wine-producing town of Gols, and the flat terrains of Heideboden and Seewinkel. Since 2012, Neusiedlersee DAC has represented fruity and harmonious red wines made from Zweigelt, and also a more full-bodied style with the “Reserve” label. Since 2020, the region’s sweet wines have also been allowed to carry the designation of originNeusiedlersee DAC”.

Read more about the Neusiedlersee wine-growing region

Leithaberg

Leithaberg DAC

© Austrian Wine/Philipp Forstner

Leithaberg DAC

This DAC region on the western bank of Lake Neusiedl has been the first one in Austria to permit both white and red regionally typical wines. The limestone and slate soils of the 2,995-hectare Leithaberg DAC region produce great white wines (from Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Neuburger and Grüner Veltliner), as well as top-flight, mineral-driven Blaufränkisch wines.

Read more about the Leithaberg wine-growing region

Rust

Ruster Ausbruch DAC

© Austrian Wine/Marcus Wiesner

Ruster Ausbruch DAC

The free city of Rust can look back on a century-long winegrowing tradition. The local speciality is the Ruster Ausbruch – a Trockenbeerenauslese. From 2020 onwards, these sweet wines are protected by the “Ruster Ausbruch DAC” designation of origin. Dry wines from Rust may be labelled with the “Burgenland” or – where applicable – “ Leithaberg DAC ” designation of origin.

Read more about the Rust appellation

Rosalia

Rosalia DAC

© Austrian Wine/Robert Herbst

Rosalia DAC

The eastern slopes of the Rosalia mountain range are home to Burgenland’s smallest wine-growing region – with a mere 239 hectares. Here, Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch grapes are grown on the young deposits of a prehistoric ocean, which forms a foundation for the powerful and fruit-driven Rosalia DAC wines. Another regionally typical speciality is the fresh and spicy Rosalia DAC rosé made from one or more red Qualitätswein grape varieties.

Read more about the Rosalia wine-growing region

Mittelburgenland

Mittelburgenland DAC

© Austrian Wine/Robert Herbst

Mittelburgenland DAC

Blaufränkisch is the dominant grape variety in Mittelburgenland’s 2,036 hectares of vineyards. Its unmistakeable aroma of black fruits of the forest and fine, spicy notes develop as a result of the warm, loamy soils, giving the Mittelburgenland DAC its regional typicity. The region’s “Reserve” wines have already proven their great ageing potential.

Read more about the Mittelburgenland wine-growing region

Eisenberg DAC

© Austrian Wine/Robert Herbst

Eisenberg DAC

The small wine-growing region in the south of Burgenland is a peaceful, scenic idyll stretching along the Hungarian border. The 515 hectares of vineyards here are used to produce excellent Blaufränkisch wines with exceptional minerality and unique, fresh notes. Since 2009, these wines have been bottled under the Eisenberg DAC label. Fresh, elegant Welschriesling is also produced under the DAC Riedenwein (single-vineyard wine) label.

Read more about the Eisenberg wine-growing region

Vulkanland Steiermark

Vulkanland Steiermark DAC

© Austrian Wine/Bernhard Schramm

Vulkanland Steiermark DAC

Giving this wine region its name, the extinct volcanoes here are home to many small vineyard islands that have been planted on the volcanoes’ flanks. With 1,655 hectares of vineyards, these volcanic soils produce DAC wines with a distinct, individual character: primarily Welschriesling, Pinot Blanc, Morillon (Chardonnay) and Sauvignon Blanc. Around Klöch, Traminer is a local speciality.

Read more about the Vulkanland Steiermark wine-growing region

Südsteiermark

Südsteiermark DAC

© Austrian Wine/Robert Herbst

Südsteiermark DAC

Dotted along the border with Slovenia, the breath-taking, steep slopes of Südsteiermark characterise one of the most charming wine-growing regions in the world. These 2,800 hectares are home to a large number of white grape varieties that serve as the base for the region’s DAC wines. The region’s undisputed standout wine, however, is the Sauvignon Blanc that is influenced by the area’s shell-limestone soils of the best single-vineyard sites. The slate soils in the Sausal hills are also a unique feature here.

Read more about the Südsteiermark wine-growing region

Weststeiermark

Weststeiermark DAC

© Austrian Wine/Marcus Wiesner

Weststeiermark DAC

The romantic Weststeiermark region is home to 658 hectares of vineyards. Around 60% of the area is planted with Blauer Wildbacher, which is used to produce a unique terroir wine called Schilcher. This rare, rosé wine with its lively acidity has already achieved international cult status. Alongside typically Styrian white wines such as Sauvignon Blanc, Welschriesling and Pinot Blanc, this regional speciality may also be marketed under the Weststeiermark DAC label.

Read more about the Weststeiermark wine-growing region

Wien

Wiener Gemischter Satz DAC

© Austrian Wine/Robert Herbst

Wiener Gemischter Satz DAC

“Gemischter Satz” is a term that refers to the cultivation of different white wine varieties in one vineyard, which are then harvested and vinified together to create a field blend wine. This traditional method used in the vineyard and winery produces great Viennese wines with regional typicity that are also allowed to be labelled as single-vineyard wines. Wiener Gemischter Satz wines include grape varieties such as Grüner Veltliner, Welschriesling, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Traminer and others.

Read more about the Wien wine-growing region

Links

The origin marketing strategy

More specific designations of origin

Austria’s wine-growing regions

 

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