Tempting tips for Austria’s “Bucklige Welt”

“Ausg’steckt is”: Over 50 cider and wine growers invite you to this region for all the senses

In the hilly countryside south of Vienna, everything is in place for a tasty snack. Down-to-earth wine taverns entice visitors with award-winning cider, specialities made from pork, beef, lamb and goat produce, as well as homemade pastries.

Crispy farmhouse bread topped with homemade bacon, crunchy vegetables and freshly grated horseradish, accompanied by aromatic pumpkin seed or wild garlic spread and, for dessert, fluffy pastries fresh from the oven: “Heurigens” characterise the culinary diversity of Austria’s “Bucklige Welt”. A day of excursions ends in style with a Brettljause (snack) with friends in a shaded guest garden or cosy Stüberl.

For cyclists, the wine taverns are a tempting rest stop: from the cycle paths around Bad Schönau, for example, it is not far to Stegbauer’s Mostwirtshaus, the wine tavern “Weingartleitenhof” in Kirchschlag can be reached via many e-bike routes and, on EuroVelo 9 in Katzelsdorf, there is the Genussbauernhof Böhm, one of the best wine taverns in the region.

“Heurigenjause” in the land of fruit wine

Classic wine taverns can be found mainly in the north of Austria’s “Bucklige Welt” from Katzelsdorf to Pitten, the rest of the region is known for its fruit wine. Austria’s “Bucklige Welt” apple cider is made from apples and pears according to an old tradition, and is often served directly at the farm, for example, at the Hochegger Mostheurigen Rainer Pichler complete with a wonderful guest garden. An insider tip for foodies is the Mostschank am Rosenhof in Hollenthon, where, in addition to apple cider and juices, smoked trout and fine specialities from Zebu beef are on the menu. From the sun terrace, guests have a magnificent view over the surrounding “Buckln”.

And by the way: you can tell at a glance whether a “Heuriger” is currently open. When the traditional “Buschen” – a tuft or wreath of branches – is put out at the entrance, guests are welcome.