Burgenland, to the southeast of Vienna on the Hungarian border, is Austria's principal red wine region and home to the Blaufränkisch grape, which produces structured, spiced reds in the Mittelburgenland DAC. The town of Rust on the Neusiedlersee produces Ruster Ausbruch, one of Austria's historic noble-sweet wines made from botrytised grapes. A day trip contrasts the Wachau's white-wine focus with Austrian red wine and dessert wine production.
The Mostviertel (Most = cider/must country) is a hilly region immediately north of the Wachau where pear and apple orchards dominate rather than vines.
Pours: Mostviertler Birnenmost (pear cider), Apfelmost (apple cider), Mostviertel pear schnapps
The Kremstal DAC appellation begins at the eastern boundary of the Wachau and centres on the city of Krems and the Stein quarter. Kremstal Riesling tends toward rounder fruit than Wachau, with slightly warmer growing conditions at lower elevation. The Loisium Wine World in Langenlois (just north of Krems) offers architecture, a subterranean cellar tour, and a comprehensive wine spa combining the regional visit with wellness. Krems-Stein's old town wine bars and the Kunstmeile galleries make this a half-day culture-and-wine combination.
Pours: Kremstal DAC Gruner Veltliner, Kremstal DAC Riesling, Loisium Wine World tastings
The Kamptal DAC, centred on Langenlois and the Kamp river valley, is home to Schloss Gobelsburg (the Cistercian-heritage estate with a historic cellar), Weingut Bründlmayer, and a cluster of ambitious younger producers.
Pours: Kamptal DAC Gruner Veltliner Reserve, Kamptal DAC Riesling, Schloss Gobelsburg Cistercian-method wines
The Wagram is a plateau appellation overlooking the Danube to the west of Vienna, best known for its loess-rich soils and as the home of Bernhard Ott, whose Wagram Gruner Veltliner is a benchmark for the appellation.
Pours: Wagram DAC Gruner Veltliner, Roter Veltliner (Wagram specialty), Feuersbrunn village wines
Stift Gottweig is a Baroque Benedictine monastery founded in 1083 that crowns a hill overlooking the eastern Wachau and the Danube valley. The monastery still operates a wine estate on its south-facing terraced slopes, producing Riesling and Gruner Veltliner sold at the cellar shop. The monastery tour includes the historic library, the Kaisertreppe imperial staircase, and a panoramic view across the Wachau and Kremstal. The abbey restaurant serves regional food with the monastery's own wines.
Pours: Stift Gottweig Gottweiger Berg Riesling, Stift Gottweig Gruner Veltliner
Stift Melk, the Benedictine monastery perched dramatically on a promontory above the western end of the Wachau, is one of the most visited sites in Austria.
Pours: Stift Melk Wachau Gruner Veltliner, Stift Melk Wachau Riesling