Styria/Steiermark

The „Steirerland“ or Styrian country is one of the four wine-growing regions in Austria, and corresponds geographically with the boundaries of the federal state of Styria. Steiermark or Styria is also a wine-growing area. This has a total vineyard area of 3.291 hectares, spread among 3.821 wine growers. The celts were the first to establish viticulture in the area, in the 4th century BC. As in the whole of Europe, Charlemagne (742–814 AD) was also responsible for giving the wine-growing industry new impetus. The Catholic church and its abbies, and in particular the Cistercian Rein abbey, were also of great importance. A census dated 1406 shows a record of 535 towns and villages with 6.000 vineyards. In the 16th century, the total vineyard area amounted to 35.000 hectares, ten times as much as today. Archduke Johann (1782–1859) owned a castle in Stainz, which is today the centre of the Schilcher-producing region in West Styria. He established an experimental wine estate near Marburg in 1822, laying the foundation for quality-orientated viticulture. The archduke had many grape varieties hitherto unknown in the region planted, such as Traminer, Sauvignon Blanc, Silvaner, Riesling and Pinot Blanc, and also experimented with new trellising systems. In addition he promoted education for wine producers, and encouraged hygiene in the cellar. The Styrian school for fruit farming and viticulture was founded in Marburg in 1872. The first director, Hermann Goethe (1837-1911), was one of the best-known wine experts and ampelographers of his time. Today, wine producers in Styria are trained at the Silberberg oenological college near Leibnitz. Styria is divided geographically into three wine-growing regions:

* Südoststeiermark (South-east Styria) with 1.115 ha
* Südsteiermark (South Styria) with 1.741 ha
* Weststeiermark West Styria) with 433 ha

All three wine-growing regions are located in the south of the federal state, close to the border with Slovenia. The all-encompassing wine-growing area “Steiermark” as well as the “Steirerland” region for the production of country wine were created in 2002. The vineyards are widely spread, predominantly on steep south-facing slopes at altitudes of up to 650 metres above sea level. The symbol of Styrian viticulture is the “Klapotetz“, a windmill-type contraption used to make noise in the vineyard in order to drive away birds that eat the grapes. The climate is characterised by Pannonian and southern European influences. Average rainfall is double what it is in Burgenland and Lower Austria. Around 7% of all Austrian wines are produced in Styria. The Marktgemeinschaft Steirischer Wein marketing association represents the interests of more than 750 members, and Steirische Klassik is a well-known co-operative. More than 70% of all wines produced are white, usually dry, fresh and fruity in style. A speciality in Styria is the rosé wine called Schilcher, made from the Blauer Wildbacher grape. The grape varieties planted:
Variety Synonyms, variants Colour Hectares % share
Welschriesling - White 696 21,1
Chardonnay
Morillon
Pinot Blanc Feinburgunder
Chardonnay
Weißburgunder, Klevner White 567 17,2
Blauer Wildbacher Schilcher Red 461 14,0
Müller-Thurgau Rivaner, Riesling x Sylvaner White 351 10,7
Zweigelt Blauer Zweigelt, Rotburger Red 331 10,1
Scheurebe Sämling 88 White 180 5,5
Sauvignon Blanc Muskat-Sylvaner White 178 5,4
Muskateller Gelber Muskateller, Roter Muskateller White 86 2,6
Riesling Rheinriesling, Weißer Riesling White 74 2,2
Traminer Roter Traminer, Gewürztraminer White 73 2,2
Pinot Gris Grauburgunder, Ruländer White 66 2,0
Goldburger - White 52 1,6
Gemischter Satz Vineyard blend White 45 1,4
Blauburger - White 22 0,7
Blaufränkisch Blauer Limberger, Limberger Rot 17 0,5
Silvaner Sylvaner, Grüner Sylvaner White 11 0,3
Cabernet Sauvignon - Red 7 0,2
Pinot Noir Blauburgunder, Blauer Spätburgunder Red 6 0,2
St. Laurent - Red 6 0,2
Blauer Portugieser Portugieser Red 5 0,2
Veltliner Grüner Veltliner, Weißgipfler White 5 0,2
Muskat-Ottonel Feinschmeckerter White 5 0,2
Bouvier - White 2 0,1
Merlot - Red 1 -
Cabernet Franc - Red 0,5 -
Neuburger - White 0,3 -
White varieties 2.426 73,7
Red varieties 865 26,3
TOTAL 3.291 100