Heurige — Wine on the City Outskirts

The Heurigen are Vienna's most unique culinary tradition — and the reason why Vienna is the only metropolis in the world with 700 hectares of vineyards within the city limits. A Heuriger is a Buschenschank (wine tavern), where the winemaker serves his own new wine (the "Heurigen") — recognizable by the Buschen (pine branch or straw wreath) above the entrance.

How does a Heuriger work?

You sit down — often under grapevines in the guest garden, with a view over the vineyards — and order wine (quarter = 0.25l, from €3.50) and food from the buffet: cold platters with Liptauer (spiced cream cheese), Verhackertes (bacon spread), roast pork, ham, salads, and bread. You get the food yourself, the wine is brought to you.

The Best Heurigen Districts

• Grinzing (19th District): The most famous Heurigen village — touristy, but atmospheric with views of the vineyards. Bus line 38A from Schottentor.
• Nussdorf (19th District): Quieter and more local than Grinzing — Vienna's oldest wine village with excellent Heurigen like Heuriger Mayer am Nussberg.
• Neustift am Walde (19th District): Price-performance champion — fewer tourists, same quality. Fuhrgassl-Huber and 10er Marie are institutions.
• Stammersdorf (21st District): On the other side of the Danube — the largest wine-growing area in Vienna, the least touristy. Perfect for an authentic evening.

Viennese Wines

• Grüner Veltliner: Austria's leading grape variety — fresh, peppery, versatile. Served as open wine at the Heuriger.
• Gemischter Satz: Viennese specialty — various grape varieties grown, harvested, and fermented together. DAC (protected designation of origin) since 2013. Vienna's own wine.
• Sturm: Freshly fermented must — only in September/October. Cloudy, sweet, deceptive (the alcohol content is higher than you think). A must in the Heurigen season.