Burgenland (161)

Burgenland in Austria

Burgenland is a rather small country in terms of area and population, yet it is also considered the second largest wine-growing region in Austria after Lower Austria. Local winemakers produce about 750,000 hectoliters of wine annually on around 16,500 hectares! The wine style is predominantly fresh and fruity. More and more Burgenland wineries are experimenting with new ideas without losing the authentic aroma of Burgenland.

The Land and Its Wines

From the east of Austria, especially red wines flow out into the world. Additionally, there is an offering of full-bodied white wines. Sweet wines should not be omitted from this list, as some wines of this category also have their origins in Burgenland. However, the most important grape varieties include Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch, two indigenous grape varieties.

Zweigelt has many names. The variety is also known as Blauer Zweigelt, Rotburger, or Zweigeltrebe. In Austria, it is indispensable, shaping the landscape in many places. The grape variety is considered the most widely spread in all of Austria and can be processed into delicious red wine.

Blaufränkisch also carries several other common designations, some used more often than others. The variety is also called Lemberger or Blauer Limberger. The cultivation of Blaufränkisch grapes involves certain risks. The vine should not come into contact with late frost. However, the climate in the region is advantageous for cultivation and is increasingly evolving towards conditions that favor Blaufränkisch vines.

The Winemakers from Eastern Austria

Behind every good wine, there is, of course, a winemaker who constantly shapes the character of the wine through his active influence. He is not only familiar with the microclimate, the local soils, and the selected grape variety but also pays great attention to the small details surrounding cultivation, harvest, and processing. As Burgenland is predestined for wine growing, numerous winemakers live here, including many family businesses. We would like to introduce three of them in more detail.

The Winery Günter & Regina Triebaumer Rust

The Triebaumer family can look back on a centuries-old history in wine growing. Since the end of the 17th century, they have been active near Lake Neusiedl close to the free town of Rust in Burgenland. Today, Günter Triebaumer and Regina Limbeck are responsible for the winery, which covers around 24 hectares of cultivation area. Their trademark: on the one hand, they rely on tradition, which stems from their family history; on the other hand, they have opened themselves to the world through their great interest and professional reasons. These values play a significant role in wine production, yet in every bottle that originates here, there is always the spirit of the excellent Ruster Rieden.

The Winery Esterházy

The Esterházy family is an old family from Austria with Hungarian roots, traceable back to the 13th century. In the 17th century, a princely line of the Esterházys distinguished itself, making them part of the high nobility of Austria for a time and significantly influencing the country's history. The family is also known for its close ties to the then Hungarian crown and the House of Habsburg and still owns historically significant properties today. This includes, for example, Schloss Esterházy in Eisenstadt in Burgenland.

The name Esterházy is known not only for its influence on Central European history but also for having significantly shaped European wine cultivation. This remains true in Burgenland today: The Esterházy winery on Leitherberg spans around 90 hectares and is considered one of the most modern in all of Austria. Mainly, red grape varieties such as Blaufränkisch, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Zweigelt are found on the cultivation areas. However, around one third also consists of white varieties such as Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, or Welschriesling.

The Winery Leo Hillinger

Not every winery in Burgenland can look back on an ancient history. However, that does not preclude the fact that amazing wines still come to light there. Leo Hillinger is among those winemakers who founded their own winery. His father was a wine trader and handed over this trade to his son in 1990.

He eventually bought around 90 hectares of cultivation area near Jois and Rust in Burgenland and has been producing his own wine using organic cultivation methods since then. An international orientation is very important to Leo Hillinger. He now sells his products in 20 countries - mainly in Europe, but also in the USA and China.

Climate and Soils in Burgenland

Hot in summer and cold in winter: such is the classic climate in Burgenland. The average annual temperature is 10°C. Around 2,000 hours of sunshine pamper the land throughout the year. Precipitation falls between 350 and 650 millimeters, with winter snow being rarely included. The climate of Burgenland is often referred to as pannonian. This term refers to the fact that eastern Austria and neighboring Hungary largely lie on the Pannonian Plain.

At the same time, the region can boast valuable soils from which the demanding grapevines draw the essential nutrients and aromas. Moreover, the soils differ further between the individual wine-growing regions within the country. This partly explains why Burgenland wines can significantly differ from one another, even though they all originate from the small country.

Facts About Burgenland

Where is Burgenland located?

It is located in the east of Austria and borders directly on Hungary, Slovakia, and the Austrian states of Lower Austria and Styria. The capital is Eisenstadt. In Austria, this federal state is the least populated. Only about 293,000 people have found their home here.

The name Burgenland is due to the presence of castles in the area. Even though the three castles that played the most significant roles today belong to Hungary (specifically Wieselburg, Ödenburg, and Eisenburg), there are still numerous castles and palaces to be found within the state borders, such as Burg Lockenhaus or Burg Bernstein.

When is the grape harvest in Burgenland?

Burgenland, like many other parts of the world, is directly affected by climate change, with average temperatures rising. This is now reflected in the timing of the grape harvest, which begins as early as mid-August. Normally, Burgenland winemakers would start harvesting the grapes at the end of August. Today, the grape harvest usually reaches its annual peak around this time.

Buy Online at VINELLO: Taste the Wines of Burgenland

We would like to invite you to try the popular wines from Burgenland. Browse our selection at your leisure and find your new favorite wine at VINELLO today. We take great pride in offering a large assortment that includes wines from various parts of the world.

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