The wines of the Wachau valley have been of essential importance for the economic lives of its inhabitants for many centuries. Until today, most of the famous Wachau winemakers have been family-run businesses for generations. This represents a selection of local partners that we work with.
The umbrella association Vinea WachauThe Vinea Wachau (Vinea Wachau Nobilis Districtus) was founded in 1983 as an association of winemakers in the Wachau wine-growing area. Each member of the Vinea Wachau association is obligated to commit himself to the promotion and preservation of the wine culture of the Wachau. The association has currently about 200 members who use the registered trademarks Steinfeder, Federspiel and Smaragd to emphasise and show their constant search for superior quality. |
Winery AlzingerThe winery of the family Alzinger exists since many generations, however it was crucially characterised by Leo Alzinger sen. His son, who is also called Leo, keeps the intentions and ideas of his father in the winery. Altogether the family works ten hectares in the East of Wachau around the village Loiben. |
Winery Domäne WachauUncompromising aspiration for quality, new approaches to vineyard management, outstanding winemaking expertise as well as the willingness to continuously learn and improve make Domäne Wachau stand out as one of Austria’s best white wine producers. Domäne Wachau is among the largest wineries in Austria and produces wines in the premium segment only. New measures for quality assurance have brought Domäne Wachau recognition as one of the top ten best white wine producers in Austria. |
Winery FX PichlerEvery cellar has its own atmosphere, its own envelope. A cellar is the workshop for craftsmanship and art. The winery FX Pichler has picked up on the traditional theme of the natural stone wall and interpreted it anew. Surrounded by vines, the new caller facilities were built in 2009 in a contemporary architectural style to harmonically fit into the grown cultural landscape of the Wachau. FX Pichler is one of the most prestigious wineries in the Wachau. |
Winery HirtzbergerThe vines and later on the wine itself require intensive care throughout the whole year: from all the different steps in the vineyards, from cutting through harvest, the procedures in the cellar, filling of the bottles and selling the wine. |
Winery JägerThe wines are prepared in the three different qualities of the Vinea Wachau – Steinfeder, Federspiel and Smaragd, in stainless steel tanks. In this way unique wines are developed every year each with their own individual delicate fruity and elegant character. |
Winery JamekJosef Jamek is one of Wachau’s doyens regarding viticulture. Many different impulses for the typical Wachau wine character were introduced by him. The winery Jamek started to produce wine with the first vineyard bought by his father, Anton Jamek. Josef Jamek discovered his interest in viticulture early on and visited the viticulture school in Krems in 1936. |
Winery Johann DonabaumAll good things are worth waiting for! Already in 1996 Johann junior, winemaker in 5th generation, took over the traditional winery Johann Donabaum and enthusiastically gave it a new direction. Back then Johann was only 20 years old, but had already set himself a high target: being one of the top winemakers in the Wachau! The vineyard area was tripled, the income divided and the focus put on top wines. The know-how of Johann’s parents about vineyard care was priceless, together with the next generation techniques for wine production, the wines from the top vineyards Setzberg, Offenberg and Spitzer Point have won national and international awards. Has Johann reached his goal? It’s on you to tell us! |
Winery Karl Stierschneider – KartäuserhofThe estate was built in 1380 for the formerly called ‘Kartause’ carthusian Aggsbach, thereof the name today ‘Kartäuserhof’. In 1862 the family Stierschneider took over the estate. The winery was developed over three generations to reach today’s production volume of 100.000 bottles a year. |
Winery KnollThe Emmerich Knoll wine estate in Unterloiben is one of the most popular wine estates in Austria. In wine connoisseur circles, the traditional label enjoys a similar cult status as the wine itself. Emmerich Knoll does not favour succulent, exuberant wines. Dense wines which demonstrate strength in a compressed form but do not expand in width; that is the credo. |
Winery LaglerSince 1789 the family ‘Lagler’ owns their estate, however they only began in the 1970s to produce their own wine. Before that, the family cultivated grapes and sold them to the ‘Freie Weingärtner Dürnstein’ who then produced wine out of these grapes. Today, the winery stands for quality, traditional roots and purity. |
Winery NikolaihofNikolaihof is the oldest wine estate in Austria, whose history goes back almost 2000 years to Roman times. Wine has been produced here since the time of the Celts. The first documentary evidence of this dates from around 470 A.D. in the time of Saint Severin and the Romans. Today, the Saahs family operates in accordance with the regulations of the Demeter Association, one of the strictest control systems of organic agriculture. |
Winery Pichler KrutzlerElisabeth Pichler-Krutzler from the Wachau and Erich Krutzler from the Burgenland founded their own wine estate in the Wachau in 2006. Both husband and wife grew up in famous wine-making families. Together, they craft wines of great soul and individuality, whilst respecting nature and sustainable viticulture. |
Winery PragerGrüner Veltliner and Riesling are held in particular regard at Weingut Prager. The first documented mention of the estate, dating from 1302, mentions the place named ritzling. There are speculations that the roots of today’s Riesling are actually in the Wachau valley. Grüner Veltliner, also a very typical regional grape, is the second variety which has been grown at Weingut Prager for generations. Notably, vines of up to 60 years of age are cultivated in the Achleiten and Zwerithaler vineyards, resulting in wines of extraordinary density with strong mineral flavours. |
Winery TegernseerhofThe historical roots of Tegernseerhof go back over 1000 years. Martin Mittelbach is the fifth generation of the family to lead the winery. It is his declared goal to use the vineyards’ enormous potential to produce unique and distinguished wines. |
Hofmeisterei HirtzbergerOne may call it a trident of bliss, how the historical building of ‘Hofmeisterei’ developed after careful renovation: First of all, an early-gothic jewel with baroque charm and more than 700 years of history. Secondly, two managers, that have already proven their know-how in serving fine country cuisine. And thirdly, the owner of ‘Hofmeisterei’, the family Hirtzberger, which creates in its 5th generation the most beautiful wines in one of the most pittoresque landscapes Austria has to offer. With these ingredients the Hofmeisterei has set its goal to develop one of Wachau’s culinary highlights. |
Hotel-Restaurant KirchenwirtThe delight of fine Lower-Austrian cuisine is offered in different arched rooms or a cosy place below the wine arbours and the 35-year old linden tree that was planted for the restaurant’s opening in 1979. The traditional dishes in this restaurant include fresh ‘Tafelspitz’ boiled beef, innards and deer, as well as seasonal specialities of lamb (Easter) and goose (November). During the apricot harvest the Kirchenwirt is famous for its fresh ‘Marillenknödel’ sweet apricot dumplings as well as other traditional sweet dishes. |
Restaurant JamekIn the restaurant Jamek senior boss Jutta Altmann offers her guests a unique atmosphere. Whether in elegant rooms, at the sunny terrace with view of the Danube River or in the shady garden, an outdoor living room with a gorgeous view of the vineyards: the guest can benefit from a truly incomparable atmosphere: old and new have created a unique combination. Everyone who visits Jamek in the Wachau can explore it with all senses! |
Restaurant Richard LöwenherzThe awarded kitchen of this restaurant is full of ideas whilst counting on fine traditions. This special atmosphere can be experienced in elegant rooms or at the terrace with view on the Danube River. The restaurant ‘Richard Löwenherz’ – Richard the Lionheart – is especially proud of its Falstaff award – another confirmation for the high level of its kitchen. Whilst sitting underneath chestnut trees, the view of passing river boats, the baroque church tower and the ruin castle of Dürnstein can be enjoyed. You should be spoiled with culinary highlights and an exquisite selection of fine wines from local and international winemakers. |
Schlosshotel DürnsteinThe hotel has the ineffable fortune of not only being located in the Wachau, but also having the most beautiful view of the Danube. A vital start to the day with a wholesome breakfast is the best foundation for your stay in the Wachau, regardless of planning an active or relaxed holiday. Enjoying an ambient dinner on the terrace paired with the best wines of the region, you can fully appreciate a perfect finish to your day. The terrace seats up to 180 people and has an awning for use on rainy days. Additionally, wall heat lamps enable to dine outside, even with chilly weather as the season’s change. |
WachauerstubeThe tavern’s host Gerald Diemt lived abroad and worked in Vienna for a long period, until he took notice of the historical jewel of the tavern ‘Wachauerstube’ in the village of Loiben. The restaurant is a mixture of traditions and modernity: it attracts local guests as well as international tourists but reflects with five employees a very cosy atmosphere. One of the extraordinary details of ‘Wachauerstube’ is the adaption of the wine and food menu, to offer regional, seasonal and organic food. Gerald Diemt and his team have gotten very positive feedback since they started their own business, in which they incorporate a philosophy of enjoyment and fun for food and drinks. |
Wonderful fruit growing conditions allow gorgeous distillates to be produced. Some of the winemakers do have small distilleries as a side business. We want to highlight two of our most important local partners in the distillery business.
Distillery HolzapfelFine fruit brandies: The family-owned distillery in the ‘Prandtauerhof’ concentrates on the basics: The most important is – as it is true for wine as well – the aromatic ripeness of the fruits. What does not taste good in the mouth, does not taste good in the brandy either. Therefore only fruits with high intense aroma and a balance of fruit sugar and fruit acid make it to the mash. |
Wieser WachauJohanna and Markus Wieser both come from traditional winemaking families, Markus Wieser is a grandson of the famous wine pioneer Josef Jamek. They both are ‘real Wachauer’ and know their cultural heritage and the quality level that comes with it. The family Wieser appreciates the diversity apricot production offers. They dry, coat and roast apricots and their seeds, they produce jam, fruit nectar, liquor and brandy – nowadays the Wieser products are well known and popular, in and outside of Austria. |
Wine retailers play an important role for the region: on one hand they present international wines to the viticulture experts of the Wachau, on the other they simplify exporting Wachau wines and facilitate their success outside of Austria.
Hubert Fohringer – The Wine HouseHere you will find bottles of well known and established regional wineries, such as Franz Hirtzberger, Emmerich Knoll, Jamek, Prager, Rudi Pichler, as well as important Austrian winemakers outside of Wachau, such as W. Bründlmayer, Schloß Gobelsburg, Martin Nigl, A. Kollwentz, Gernot Heinrich, Paul Achs, Kracher, Manfred Tement, and many more. It would be easier to mention the wineries you won’t find here! The Sommelier of the house can also present new exciting wines and wineries from all around the globe. |
The Wine Agents – Die WeinagentenMariotti and Ruhdorfer are the names of two Wachauer who are passionate about the Wachau that is characterised by the originality of the landscape and the kindness of the people and the fascination for soil and culture. |
Please note that we can only provide a selection of our partners. If you would like to know more about partners please don’t hesitate to reach out!
Ferry Dürnstein RossatzEnjoy a ride on the Danube, transfer also for bikes and independent of weather conditions. |
Helicopter Tours AustriaHelicopter flights through Wachau! www.helikopter-tours-austria.at |
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