Wachau DACGrüner Veltliner, Riesling, Weissburgunder15 haFounded 1731Wösendorf
A separate family from F.X. Pichler, based in Wösendorf since 1731. The 15-hectare estate is planted 65% Grüner Veltliner, 30% Riesling. Known for textured Smaragd from the Hochrain and Achleiten sites.
Tasting: Direct sales (Ab Hof) and wine shop on site.
Signature wines: rudi-pichler-hochrain-riesling-smaragd, rudi-pichler-achleiten-gruner-smaragd, rudi-pichler-bruck-gruner-smaragd
Tip: The modern winery building opened in 2004 is architecturally significant; Achleiten Smaragd is the flagship.
Wachau DACGrüner Veltliner, Riesling, Gelber Muskateller, Neuburger, Weissburgunder14 haFounded 1789Familie LaglerSpitz
Family estate in Spitz since 1789, operating 14 hectares across several varieties. The attached Hotel Weinberghof is a wine-tourism destination with views over the vine-covered slopes.
Tasting: Hotel Weinberghof on site; tastings combined with hotel stays available.
Signature wines: lagler-drei-weingarten-riesling-smaragd, lagler-tausendeimerberg-gruner-smaragd
Tip: Pair a stay at the Hotel Weinberghof with the Tausendeimerberg Smaragd for the full Spitz experience.
Wachau DACGrüner Veltliner, Riesling, Neuburger, Gelber Muskateller, Weissburgunder9 haFounded 1930Petra and Wolfgang HofstätterWinemaker Wolfgang HofstätterSpitz
Third-generation family estate at Spitz foot working 8.5 hectares from St. Michael to Schwallenbach. Singerriedel, Hartberg and Tausendeimerberg are key sites. Gelber Muskateller and Frühroter Veltliner add variety to the portfolio.
Tasting: Seasonal Heurigen (wine tavern) on site; direct sales available.
Signature wines: hofstaetter-singerriedel-riesling-smaragd, hofstaetter-tausendeimerberg-gruner-smaragd
Tip: The Gelber Muskateller Federspiel is one of the few compelling Muscats in the Wachau.
Wachau DACGrüner Veltliner, Riesling, Weissburgunder8 haFounded 1786Winemaker Erich MachherndlWösendorf
"Honest viticulture without compromise" is the motto of this 1786-founded estate in Wösendorf. Picturesque 13th-century farmhouse cellar; the family has been active in the region for over 200 years.
Tasting: Direct sales at the 13th-century farmhouse; Buschenschank seasonal tavern.
Signature wines: machherndl-gruner-smaragd-wosendorf, machherndl-riesling-federspiel-wosendorf
Tip: The historic farmhouse and barrel cellar offer a genuine old-Wachau atmosphere that larger estates cannot replicate.
Wachau DACGrüner Veltliner, Riesling, Weissburgunder8 haFounded 1940Familie MayerWinemaker Franz Mayer juniorSpitz
Third-generation Franz Mayer estate in the Spitzer Graben producing award-winning wines to Vinea Wachau quality standards. The Spitzer Graben sub-valley gives distinctive floral and mineral character.
Tasting: Direct cellar sales daily from 16:00 (Sundays from 14:30); walk-ins welcome.
Signature wines: mayer-gruner-smaragd-spitzer-graben, mayer-riesling-federspiel-spitz
Tip: One of the few Wachau estates open daily in the late afternoon for impromptu visits.
Wachau DACGrüner Veltliner, Riesling, Weissburgunder22 haFounded 1868Familie ForstreiterWinemaker Meinhard ForstreiterHollenburg
Family estate in Hollenburg at the eastern edge of the Wachau, family-owned since 1868. 22 hectares with reliable opening hours make it one of the most accessible Wachau producers.
Tasting: Open Monday-Friday 09:30-18:00, Saturday 09:30-14:00; direct cellar sales.
Signature wines: forstreiter-gruner-smaragd-hollenburg, forstreiter-riesling-federspiel-wachau
Tip: The most reliably open estate for walk-in cellar visits in the Wachau; no appointment needed on weekdays.
Kremstal DACGrüner Veltliner, Riesling, Weissburgunder30 haFounded 1083Benedictine Monastery of GöttweigFurth bei Göttweig
Benedictine monastery at Göttweig with viticulture documented since 1083. The 30-hectare estate is in Kremstal DAC at the eastern edge of the Wachau. Named Falstaff Winery of the Year 2020.
Tasting: Wine shop and vinothek at the monastery; combined monastery-and-wine tours.
Signature wines: stift-goettweig-kremstal-gruner-smaragd, stift-goettweig-privat-riesling
Tip: Combine the monastery tour with a wine tasting at the Vinothek for one of Lower Austria's great heritage experiences.
Kremstal DACGrüner Veltliner, Riesling, Chardonnay, Weissburgunder1200 haFounded 1938Krems
Major Kremstal cooperative representing 700 growers over 1,200 hectares. One of Austria's largest estate-bottled wine producers and a leading exporter. Based at Sandgrube 13 in Krems, the gateway city to the Wachau.
Tasting: Visitors centre at Krems; large tastings and group tours available year-round.
Signature wines: winzer-krems-sandgrube-gruner-smaragd, winzer-krems-riesling-pfaffenberg
Tip: The Sandgrube Grüner Veltliner Smaragd is among Austria's best-value quality whites; the visitor centre offers comprehensive tastings.
Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, WeissburgunderWalk-ins welcomeDürnstein
The pop-up Heuriger tavern in the baroque Kellerschlössel garden, open on select summer weekends. Guests enjoy the full Domäne Wachau portfolio alongside regional charcuterie with a view over the iconic Kellerberg Riesling terraces.