Vineyards to rival South Africa

South Africa must be one of the most popular wine regions in the world for connoisseurs to visit. The vineyards’ idyllic location, at the foot of the imposing Table Mountain, provides ideal conditions for growing wine. But why make the pilgrimage halfway around the world when verdant green vineyards, breathtaking views, and some of the best wines in the world await you much closer to home?

Högl’s homeland of Austria offers some very special holiday highlights for wine lovers. We guide you through this small wine region and show you some unmissable wine experiences.
 

The majority of the vineyards are located in the east of the country, with the provinces of Lower Austria, Burgenland, Styria, and Vienna offering a wine culture steeped in tradition. But wine is also produced to a smaller extent in all the other regions.
 

If you’re looking to become familiar with the individual wine-producing regions, it’s worth paying the winemakers a direct visit. The country’s wineries are almost all family businesses. If you book in advance, many will be happy to give you a personal tour of their production and cellars and to reveal some insights into the world of wine. To discover what it’s all about, make sure you don’t miss a wine tasting. Our tip: Weingut Högl (the Högl wine estate). The Högl family, the shoe company’s namesake, is well known in the Wachau area with its steep terraces.  The family has been growing wine here for decades. Riesling and Veltliner set the tone on the family company’s 9 acres. 
 

 

Austrian wines are just as diverse as its wine-growing areas, some of which date back to Roman times and even earlier. You can take the wine roads to the left and right of the Danube, through picturesque vineyards in areas full of contrasts and adventure. Historic vineyards and ancient Kellergassen (wine cellar alleys) are just a few of the many highlights for wine lovers.
 

 

Lake Neusiedl in Burgenland is ideal for nature lovers and connoisseurs and offers a great place to relax and unwind. Wine has been grown here for thousands of years. Not far away, in northern Burgenland, special ‘wine days’ take place annually and are not to be missed.

 

If you like things a bit more rustic, then Styria, with its unique hilly landscape and historic cellars, is our tip for your next holiday. You’ll find one of the oldest wine cellars in Europe in the Styrian castle, Schloss Seggau. At 300 years old, 72 metres long and eight-and-a-half metres high, it’s definitely worth exploring on a tour.
 

 

Vienna is the only capital city in the world that can boast its own wine industry. Wine was grown within the city walls until late in the Middle Ages. Today, 637 vineyards still play an important role economically, but the emphasis nowadays is on wineries in the suburbs and outskirts of the city. Grüner Veltliner, Rhine Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay and Welschriesling are the most commonly grown grape varieties in the capital.

 

 

Enjoy an indulgent break: Austria's wine hotels

Stroll through idyllic vineyards, take part in a wine tasting and relax as you watch the sun set over great swathes of vines: if you’re now getting the taste for the unique scenery of Austria’s wine-producing regions, then wine hotels are just the place for you.

Loisium Wine & Spa Hotel Langenlois
Kamptal Region
The hot spot for wine lovers, connoisseurs and anyone looking for a very special wine and spa experience, there’s plenty to see and do in the Loisium design hotel in the Kamptal region.
 

Vincent Hotel: luxury boutique and wellness hotel
Sulztal, Southern Styria
In the south of Styria, the small, elegant Vincent Hotel is located right on the South Styrian Wine Road, surrounded by idyllic vineyards. The large lounge with its open fireplace invites guests to linger, as does the modern pool terrace and other idyllic spots - let your soul take a rest here!
 

The WeinSpitz Boutique Hotel in the Spitzer vineyards
Wachau
In the midst of the Spitzer vineyards you’ll find the WeinSpitz Boutique Hotel Wachau, which can certainly rival its South African counterparts. You can not only relax by the large pool here, but also enjoy the beautiful views from its location on the unique Wachau terraces.
 

 

To make the perfect entrance at a wine tasting, you mustn’t forget the perfect shoes. With Högl’s sophisticated shoe styles with a comfortable block heel, nothing will stand in the way of the perfect summer evening in your favourite wine hotel.
 

On the other hand, it’s as if our on-trend THE CLOUD and VISIONARY sneakers were simply made for a relaxing stroll through Austria's idyllic vineyards or a tour along an historic Kellergasse.