Delightful active holiday in Weinviertel

Wine experiences in Weinviertel with Kathi and Romeo - hiking in Falkenstein, cycling along the Mailberg Kellergasse (cellar lane) and taking the tractor through the vineyards.

Part 1: Falkenstein & Poysdorf

A striking castle ruin, around picturesque vineyards and one of the most beautiful cellar lanes in Lower Austria – welcome to the romantic wine location: Falkenstein!

To be honest, even we can’t really believe that we’ve never made it this far North of the Weinviertel before. Only one hour from Vienna – et voilà, we’re already in holiday mode.

This is us – Kathi & Romeo from the Sommertage Travel Blog. We used to like travelling the world, but we’ve since got to know and love Austria as a country to holiday in. And we can promise you one thing: The Weinviertel is definitely worth the journey!

“Kleiner Falkenflug”: Trail to the most beautiful places in Falkenstein

How do you best start a trip to Falkenstein? Our recommendation: With a walk through the vineyards. Our choice was a circular trail called „Kleiner Falkenflug“. This themed trail takes around two hours of easy walking and takes in some of the loveliest places in Falkenstein.

The main sight of course being the imposing Falkenstein castle ruins, which can be seen upon the crest of the hill for miles around. Very impressive: The ruins date back to the 11th Century. From the peak you can enjoy a tremendous panorama all the way to the Czech Republic.

After grapevines, fields and woodlands we went to Falkenstein’s “Kellergasse”, or cellar lane. Curiosity: Nicknamed "Oagossn", or Eiergasse (egg lane). The cellar lane was once a part of the historic trade route and egg markets took place here - hence its unusual name.

Unfortunately, we don’t know all 1,100 cellar lanes in Lower Austria, but we are pretty sure that the lane in Falkenstein is one of the prettiest. There are 65 press houses – each more picturesque than the next.

One of our favourite places on the circular route comes next: the Weingartenlabyrinth (vineyard labyrinth). As you can guess from the name, it’s a labyrinth made of vines. If, like us, you’re here just before the grape harvest, there is one major advantage... you can nibble on the sweet grapes as you walk past. We liked it here! And besides, the rest spot at the centre of the labyrinth offers one of the most beautiful panoramic views of Falkenstein.

Our tip: The nearby restaurant Genusswirtschaft sieben:schläfer sells amazing picnic baskets  if you pre-order. We’re almost positive there’s pretty much nowhere better in Falkenstein to eat than on the benches of the labyrinth. Or rather, to sum it up in two words... Postcard picture!

Tractor ride round Poysdorf

Sitting on a historic tractor trailer chugging lazily through the vineyards, listening to stories told by the tour guide – well, how does that sound? We present to you the most authentic, yet strangest town tour for miles around.

We started in the historic centre of the wine town, Poysdorf or, more specifically, in Vino Versum. It’s a wine experience museum and wine shop – so it’s practically the vinophile’s centre of the region.

At a snail’s pace – taken slowly enough for everyone to see the sites in peace – the tour travels along some of the most beautiful cellar lanes in Poysdorf. Our undisputed favourite is Radyweg cellar lane. The snow-white press houses, overgrown with locust trees line up together one after another in such a gorgeous way that we asked our tractor driver if we could get off to photograph the cellar lane in all its glory.

The bright red, chugging Steyr vintage tractor makes its way higher and higher before we stop in the middle of the vineyards above Poysdorf. What a gorgeous view in all directions!

The only disadvantage: The 90 minute or so journey goes by far too quickly, so we reached the end somewhat quicker than expected. At the end was another wine tasting in the wine shop. Our thoughts: Great idea, great scenery – we would happily do it again!

See you soon, dear Weinviertel!

When we say “happily do it again”, we really would happily come back. Specifically in September, when we can explore the areas around Mailberg. The Weinviertel in the middle of the Weinherbst. Now if that doesn’t sound enticing...!

What you should know for the wine tour