Austria

Wachau

Lower Austria, along a dramatic 30km stretch of the Danube between Melk and Krems.

Continental, cool and dry; the Danube and steep terraces create a special microclimate.

The Wachau, a narrow gorge of the Danube carved by centuries, is Austria's most beautiful wine region and the home of the world's ultimate Grüner Veltliner. Its dry, peppery, mineral whites are legend among connoisseurs.

The valley uses its own quality language - Smaragd (the richest), Federspiel (lunch-style) and Steinfeder - to describe the style and richness of these wines.

For the buyer, Wachau Grüner and Riesling are among Europe's greatest dry white wines, perfect with food and capable of decades of cellaring.

Terroir & Soil

Steep terraced hillsides over gneiss and slate, facing south to maximise the sun.

What to Expect from the Wines

  • · The Wachau is Austria's most prestigious white-wine valley - the home of Grüner Veltliner at its finest.
  • · Its distinctive quality tiers - Steinfeder, Federspiel and Smaragd - describe increasing ripeness and richness.
  • · Riesling from the valley's rocky slopes is magnificent and age-worthy.

Remarkable Bottles from Wachau

All wines →
white

F. X. Pichler Riesling Smaragd

Wachau · 2024 (representative vintage)

F. X. Pichler Riesling Smaragd is an white wine from Austria, in the Wachau region (Lower Austria, along a dramatic 30km stretch of the Danube between Melk and Krems.), made principally from Riesling. The dry, powerful Smaragd-style Riesling of the Wachau — a benchmark of Austrian fine white wine.

$60–$100 est. retail

white

Alzinger Loibenberg Riesling Smaragd

Wachau · 2024 (representative vintage)

Alzinger Loibenberg Riesling Smaragd is an white wine from Austria, in the Wachau region (Lower Austria, along a dramatic 30km stretch of the Danube between Melk and Krems.), made principally from Riesling. A Wachau Smaragd of immense purity — vertical, transparent and gloriously mineral.

$55–$90 est. retail

white

Weingut Bründlmayer Riesling Heiligenstein

Wachau · 2024 (representative vintage)

Weingut Bründlmayer Riesling Heiligenstein is an white wine from Austria, in the Wachau region (Lower Austria, along a dramatic 30km stretch of the Danube between Melk and Krems.), made principally from Riesling. From Kamptal's great 'Stone of the Saints' vineyard — a Riesling with real smoky nerve and depth.

$40–$60 est. retail

white

Wachau Grüner Veltliner

Wachau · 2024 (representative vintage)

Wachau Grüner Veltliner is an white wine from Austria, in the Wachau region (Lower Austria, along a dramatic 30km stretch of the Danube between Melk and Krems.), made principally from Grüner Veltliner. a house-style Wachau grüner veltliner that showcases the grape in this region.

$12–$28 est. retail

white

Wachau Riesling

Wachau · 2024 (representative vintage)

Wachau Riesling is an white wine from Austria, in the Wachau region (Lower Austria, along a dramatic 30km stretch of the Danube between Melk and Krems.), made principally from Riesling. a house-style Wachau riesling that showcases the grape in this region.

$12–$28 est. retail

white

Wachau Müller-Thurgau

Wachau · 2024 (representative vintage)

Wachau Müller-Thurgau is an white wine from Austria, in the Wachau region (Lower Austria, along a dramatic 30km stretch of the Danube between Melk and Krems.), made principally from Müller-Thurgau. a house-style Wachau müller-thurgau that showcases the grape in this region.

$12–$28 est. retail

Food Pairing

  • · Grüner Veltliner pairs with asparagus, salads, Wiener Schnitzel and spicy food.
  • · Riesling from the Wachau suits seafood, game and East Asian cuisine.
  • · Both are superb with the region's classic cuisine.

Buying from Wachau

  • › Smaragd is the top tier - dry, concentrated and long-lived.
  • › Federspiel offers everyday elegance at friendly prices.
  • › Top growers: Weingut FX Pichler, Weingut Nikolaihof, Alzinger and Knoll.