Thermenregion Vienna Woods
Lower Austria’s southernmost wine region delights visitors with its variety and tradition as well as its nearly urban life style – the old imperial capital of Vienna is just a stone’s throw (or a few minutes’ drive) away!
The 2,200 ha of vineyards abut the spurs of the Vienna Woods, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Starting at the outskirts of Vienna in the east, they proceed along a chain of hills (with Anninger being the highest) and end in Baden, a health resort known for its early 19th c Biedermeier flair. The Thermenregion winegrowing region specializes in indigenous varieties such as Zierfandler (often also called “Spätrot”) and Rotgipfler, and you pick up your heuriger food from the buffet yourself, old style.
Learning from the Ancient Romans
Vineyards were already cultivated more than 2000 years ago in the favorable climatic conditions of this region to the south of Vienna. Roman legionnaires stationed in Carnuntum and Vindobona, present-day Vienna, brought vines and knowledge viticulture with them from home to Pannonia. “Thermenregion” refers to the sulfuric hot springs of Aquae, today’s Baden bei Wien. The white varieties Zierfandler (Spätrot) and Rotgipfler are typical of the region, especially of the area around Gumpoldskirchen und Baden, and are rarely found elsewhere. They therefore have domiciliary rights to enter into the legendary wine union Spätrot-Rotgipfler as a cuvee. The traditional diversity of varieties also includes Blauer Portugieser or Neuburger, formerly called Vöslauer. The wine lists of Thermenregion vintners around Tattendorf, Bad Vöslau and Sooss likewise often feature reds from the Burgunder family, St. Laurent and Zweigelt as well as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
In the Woods of the Viennese
The Thermenregion has many places of interest. We recommend that wine enthusiasts make a culinary side trip to Freigut Thallern, the winery of the Cistercian Abbey of Heiligenkreuz and therefore one of Austria’s oldest. Heiligenkreuz itself is a center of spiritual life in Austria. In daily tours, visitors can see the burial site of the Babenberg dynasty, the Gothic cloister and a venerable chapter house. In the health resort Baden, guests can look forward to theater, opera and a casino plus the early 19th c Biedermeier flair of the town. The Vienna Woods are a designated UNESCO biosphere park and considered the green lungs of Vienna. They are a favorite destination for hiking and all kinds of recreation. And last but not least: The excellent local water served with the wine comes directly from the Alps via the Vienna Mountain Spring Pipeline!