12 by the glassWeißenkirchen
A classic Wachau Heuriger opening on weekdays from 15:00 and weekends from 11:00. The garden overlooking the apricot orchards and terraced vineyards of Weißenkirchen makes this the quintessential Wachau wine-tavern experience.
The list: Own-estate Weißenkirchen wines from Heuriger Denk plus the daily rotating Thal Wachau selection, covering the full Vinea Wachau classification spectrum.
Pours: Weißenkirchen Grüner Veltliner, Weißenkirchen Riesling, Federspiel selections
12 by the glassMautern
The seasonal wine tavern at Austria's oldest winery and the first biodynamic estate in the Wachau. Open late April to early November, Wednesday to Saturday, under a century-old tree in the garden; Christine Saahs' organic Austrian menu is inseparable from the wine.
The list: Exclusively Nikolaihof biodynamic Demeter-certified wines paired with Christine Saahs' traditional Austrian organic cuisine. Back-vintage rarities available by the bottle.
Pours: Nikolaihof Riesling Smaragd, Nikolaihof Grüner Veltliner Spätlese, Nikolaihof im Weingebirge
20 by the glassDürnstein
The sought-after pop-up Heuriger in the baroque Kellerschlössel garden, open only two weekends each summer with views of the Ried Kellerberg terraces. A Wachau-bucket-list evening combining wine flights with traditional regional snacks.
The list: Full Domäne Wachau wine range served in the baroque garden. Specialist evenings focus on vertical Smaragd comparisons during the two dedicated summer weekends.
Pours: Domäne Wachau Ried Kellerberg Riesling Smaragd, Domäne Wachau Terrassen Grüner Veltliner, Wachauer Gemischter Satz
10 by the glassKrems
The Steinertor shop and Apricot Lounge of Bailoni, Austria's first Wachau apricot distillery founded 1872, in the heart of Krems. Fresh apricot dumplings, schnapps tastings and liqueur flights pair the history of Wachau distilling with seasonal apricot delicacies.
The list: Austria's apricot liqueur tasting bar. The lounge serves Bailoni apricot aperitifs, Marillenfrizzante, apricot cake and dumplings alongside the full spirits portfolio in the historic Steinertor shop.
Pours: Bailoni Wachauer Gold Marillenlikör, Bailoni Marillenbrand triple-distilled, Marillenfrizzante
15 by the glassMelk
Rudolf Gottwald's Vinothek at the western gateway of the Wachau in Melk, founded 1999. The shop selects exclusively from the immediate region and offers sit-in tastings; an ideal first stop for visitors arriving from Vienna by train.
The list: Curated Wachau and Kremstal selection from small-production growers, celebrating 25 years of independent wine retail. Quality-and-regionality purchasing philosophy.
Pours: Wachau Riesling Smaragd, Kremstal Grüner Veltliner, Kamptal Riesling
10 by the glassWeißenkirchen
A traditional family Heuriger on the main road through Weißenkirchen, open from noon for wine and cold platters. The sun garden backed by vineyards makes this a popular stop on the Wachau cycling route.
The list: Own-estate Weißenkirchen Grüner Veltliner and Riesling with daily cold platter service. Traditional Heuriger format open from midday on the Landstraße.
Pours: Weißenkirchen Grüner Veltliner Smaragd, Weißenkirchen Riesling Federspiel