Traisental
The Traisental valley is the smallest winegrowing region in Lower Austria, with 790 ha of vineyards. It can look back on a grand tradition of winemaking - archeological finds prove that wine was already being grown there in the Bronze Age.
Finds of grape seeds from the Early Bronze Age and of Roman relics attest to the ancient wine tradition in the Traisental valley.
In its current form, however, it is Austria’s newest wine region. It was not officially designated a winegrowing region until 1995 and with about 770 ha of vineyards, is the smallest one in the land. Grüner Veltliner commands the regiment along the Traisental Valley Wine Road. Typically fruity and full-flavored Grüner Veltliners and full-bodied Rieslings with a mineral note have been marketed since the 2006 vintage under the designation “Traisental DAC.” Grüner Veltliner DAC and Riesling DAC wines predominate yet the range of grape varieties in the Traisental also includes the Burgunder varieties Rivaner and Zweigelt. For the most part, the vines grow on often tiny terraces with dry, very limey, gravely soil. These conditions lend the wines a distinct profile featuring a full body and a strong backbone.
Fixed points in the small wine villages are down-to-earth buschenschank wine taverns with preserved and homemade foods from the vintner’s own land and garden. Traismauer or Herzogenburg are fascinating places for historical excursions. And a diverse modern lineup of art and culture is in store for visitors in nearby St. Pölten, the capital of Lower Austria.