The winegrowing region Wagram received its new name in 2007, previously known as Donauland. The 2,720 hectares of vines are planted in two distinct zones; one to the north and one to the south of the Danube River. The northern, actual Wagram part, is a striking terrain that stretches some 30km along the northern bank of the river as far as Kamptal, while the area toward the south encompasses the quaint villages around the Tullnerfeld region as well as the historic wine town of Klosterneuburg, just outside Vienna.
Vineyard area
2,720 ha
Leading viticultural towns
Feuersbrunn, Fels, Grossriedenthal, Gösing, Kirchberg, Großweikersdorf, Klosterneuburg
The region’s geologic features coupled with consistent weather and climatic patterns provide the prerequisites for producing full-bodied wines rich in aroma and flavour. Layers of loess formed in the Ice Age cover the substrate of marine deposits and river gravels (the name Wagram comes from ‘Wogenrain’, meaning ‘shore’) and give a shape to the landscape. Grüner Veltliner in particular benefits from this, yielding nicely maturing hearty and spicy wines with substance and drinking pleasure in the classic style, as well as the rich, characterful Reserves.
The indigenous speciality Roter Veltliner provides long living wines thanks to regulations regarding maximum yield, and serves to underscore the distinctive qualities of the region. Leading producers also cultivate some of the most opulent, full-bodied red wines in Niederösterreich, especially from the varieties Zweigelt and Pinot Noir, while the nobly sweet wine segment is well represented by the environmentally conscious commune of Grossriedenthal and its outstanding Eiswein. The self-confidence of successful producers has made a positive mark on the entire Wagram region, motivating others to further improve quality, supported by tourism and highly regarded restaurants. The quality has improved greatly, and Wagram is no longer considered an insider’s tip, and the villages of Feuersbrunn, Fels, Kirchberg (with its vinotheque Weritas and a wide selection of Wagram wines) and Grossriedenthal have long become firmly established as the destination for finding quality-oriented producers.
Klosterneuburg: wine, pleasure and culture
The country’s largest privately owned wine estate, Stift Klosterneuburg, has played a formative role in the story of Austrian wine. With modern management and a contemporary technological infrastructure, this estate provides a role model for the future, along with the Bundeslehranstalt für Wein und Obstbau (Federal Institute for Viticulture and Pomology), the world’s first viticultural and oenology school (founded in 1860), and today is a leading wine institution with internationally recognised standards for future winemaking generations. The wine producers of Klosterneuburg cover a wide range of viticultural activities, from the small, family-owned Heuriger to the large Sekt producers, all at the doorstep of Austria’s capital city Vienna.
