Weststeiermark wines

Steiermark, also known as Styria, is a picturesque wine region in Austria with three distinct wine zones: Vulkanland, Weststeiermark, and Südsteiermark.

It has a rich viticultural history dating back to ancient times and offers a diverse range of grape varieties and wine styles.

In 2018, all three wine zones obtained the DAC appellation, defining the typical white wines and highlighting local grape varieties. Steiermark is a captivating destination for wine lovers seeking unique and high-quality wines.

Weststeiermark overall presentation

This smaller wine region of Styria is an ancient wine-growing area where Illyrians, Celts, and later the Romans cultivated vines. The vineyards stretch in a narrow and long band at altitudes of up to 600 meters at the foothills of the Koralpe and Reinischkogel mountains, reaching the Slovenian border to the south.

This unique topography leads to significant warming during the day and provides protection against cold winds.

If you want to mix hikes and wine (as you can very well do in all Austria), I would suggest exploring the wine-growing communities of Greisdorf, Gundersdorf, Wildbach, or Wies offers surprising perspectives in terms of both scenery and wine.

Blauer Wildbacher is the star of the region (this is why this region used to be called Schilcherland up until 2019)! It is the base for elegant and charming sparkling wines, tannic red wines, and refined sweet wines. The former and latter are rare and bear the label “Steiermark” on the label.

Terroir of Weststeiermark : soil and climate

The vineyards are primarily located on the hard crystalline rocks, often acidic, of the Austro-Alpine region. The hard crystalline rocks consist of hard gneiss plates, variable gneiss with some pegmatitic elements, stratified rocks, as well as garnet-bearing mica schists and small amounts of amphibolites and marbles.

So, to make it short, remember that the predominant soils in the region are mainly gneiss or schist.

The region benefits from protection by the Koraple mountains in the west. If you want to shine at family dinner, this type of climate is known as “Illyrian”, it exhibits Mediterranean influences with significant rainfall.

Grape varieties in Weststeiermark

This region is home to a collection of smaller vineyards, primarily planted with the local specialty grape variety called Blauer Wildbacher. Blauer Wildbacher covers an area of 333 hectares out of the total 550 hectares.

The remaining vineyards are dedicated to other grape varieties such as Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc), Chardonnay, Welschriesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Zweigelt.

The most notable expression of the region’s wines is the rosé known as Schilcher, named after its distinctive pink and shimmering color. Schilcher is an ancient wine with historical references dating back to the 16th century.

The Wildbacher grape used to make Schilcher ripens late in the season. The wine is typically vinified in steel tanks with minimal or no malolactic fermentation.

Weststeiermark wines

The introduction of the Weststeiermark DAC appellation in 2018 took into account the specificities of Schilcher.

Weststeiermark is the only area in Styria with the right to grant the protected designation of origin to Schilcher, in addition to the typical Styrian white grape varieties, in which Sauvignon Blanc plays an important role for Ortswein varieties.

Wineries in Weststeiermark

Langmann is known for its exceptional Schilcher production, crafted from two distinct single vineyards. Their dedication to quality and attention to detail is evident in each bottle.

Domäne Müller, on the other hand, is renowned for its outstanding Sauvignon Blanc, sourced from the Deutsche Weingärten in the picturesque Südsteiermark region. The estate has established a reputation for producing consistently reliable wines.

Notably, Domäne Müller made history as the first winery to introduce a Schilcher Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA) in 2000, a testament to their innovation and expertise.

Now, one of my favourites : Strohmeier, offering not only regular Schilcher but also a delightful sparkling wine called Lestein, made from grapes cultivated on loam soils. Additionally, Strohmeier has also an intense Weissburgunder, demonstrating their versatility and commitment to producing exceptional wines across varietals.

Conclusion : Weststeiermark wines

Weststeiermark is a smaller wine region in Styria, Austria, with a rich history of winemaking dating back to ancient times. It is characterized by its unique topography, situated on the foothills of the Koralpe and Reinischkogel mountains. This location provides protection against cold winds and significant daytime warming. The region’s predominant soils are gneiss or schist, and it benefits from the Illyrian climate with Mediterranean influences and ample rainfall.

The star grape variety of Weststeiermark is Blauer Wildbacher, which is used to produce elegant sparkling wines, tannic red wines, and refined sweet wines. The region is also home to other grape varieties such as Weissburgunder, Chardonnay, Welschriesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Zweigelt. One of the most notable wines from the region is Schilcher, a rosé wine made from the late-ripening Wildbacher grape.

In 2018, the Weststeiermark DAC appellation was introduced, recognizing the specificities of Schilcher and granting it protected designation of origin. Sauvignon Blanc plays an important role in the region’s white grape varieties.

Several wineries in Weststeiermark are worth mentioning. Langmann is known for its exceptional Schilcher production from two distinct single vineyards. Domäne Müller is renowned for its outstanding Sauvignon Blanc and holds the distinction of being the first winery to introduce a Schilcher Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA) in 2000. Strohmeier stands out with its delightful sparkling wine called Lestein and intense Weissburgunder, showcasing their versatility and commitment to producing exceptional wines across different varietals.