Weissburgunder around the world

Stiftungsweingut Vereinigte Hospitien ★ 4.6

Tasting and tour venue at the charitable foundation estate whose cellar, built around 330 AD, is reckoned the oldest wine cellar in Germany. Riesling and Pinot wines from Scharzhofberg and the Saar.

Bischoefliche Weingueter Trier Vinothek ★ 4.5

Vinothek of the church-owned estate above a 30,000 square metre Late Antique cellar. Sample across the full Mosel, Saar and Ruwer range, then buy on the spot with a same-day purchase discount.

Weingut Markus Molitor Vinothek ★ 4.7

Tasting room in the ancestral Klosterberg house of Markus Molitor, one of the Mosel's most decorated estates. Choose your own flight from over 40 Rieslings and Pinots across the dry-to-noble-sweet spectrum.

Vinothek Zum Landsknecht ★ 4.2

Riverside vinothek on the Gestade promenade in Bernkastel, pairing a rotating Mosel by-the-glass list with light plates. A relaxed walk-in counter steps from the medieval Marktplatz.

Weingut und Weinstube Schleimer ★ 4.2

Third-generation family estate and wine tavern in the Olewig valley at the foot of Trier's vineyards. Tastings of the house Rieslings and Pinots in a relaxed Weinstube setting.

Weingut Maximin Gruenhaus ★ 4.7

Historic monopole estate in the Ruwer, in von Schubert hands since 1882, making cool, ageless Riesling from the Abtsberg, Herrenberg and Bruderberg.

Tip: The Abtsberg Kabinett and GG are the stars; the Ruwer's cool site makes wines that age for decades yet drink beautifully young.

Weingut Rudi Pichler ★ 4.8

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.

Weingut Lagler ★ 4.4

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.

Weingut Hofstätter ★ 4.3

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.

Weingut Erich Machherndl ★ 4.2

"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.

Weingut Mayer Spitz ★ 4.1

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.

Weingut Forstreiter ★ 4.2

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.

Weingut Stift Göttweig ★ 4.3

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.

Winzer Krems ★ 4.0

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.

Domäne Wachau Kellerschlössl Heuriger ★ 4.6

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.