One of the eight specific wine-growing regions in the Austrian federal state or generic wine-growing region of Lower Austria. In 1993, the districts of Donauland (renamed Wagram from the 2008 vintage) and Carnuntum, which had previously formed a single wine-growing region, were separated.

History

The Celts and later the Romans already cultivated wine here. In the middle of the first century, the former Celtic kingdom of Noricum became a Roman province. The Romans built a legionary camp and a civilian town with a large amphitheatre near the village of Petronell, where the Amber Road crossed the Danube, which had around 40,000 inhabitants around 100 AD. The border against the Germanic tribes was fortified with a wall, the Limes. Extensive excavations were carried out in the 20th century. Outside the town, a former 20 metre high triumphal arch commemorates the imperial conference in 308. Carnuntum was destroyed by the Germanic tribes around 400.

Climate & soils

The hilly landscape stretches south of the Danube east of Vienna to the border with Slovakia. The vineyards are located at the foothills of the thermal line (fracture zone with a number of thermal springs) and also benefit from the temperature equalisation of Lake Neusiedl and the Danube. The Pannonian climate, which is already strongly noticeable here, ensures high average summer temperatures and above-average grape ripeness, which creates excellent conditions for red wines. Sand, loam, loess and gravel soils predominate, which are mostly the result of deposits from the Danube. Geologically, the area is part of the Vienna Basin.

Wine-growing communities

Some of the vineyards are widely scattered, but there are two larger concentrations of contiguous areas. The sunny southern slopes of the Spitzerberg with the vineyard of the same name form a small red wine island near Prellenkirchen. The second larger area lies around the three municipalities of Göttlesbrunn, Arbesthal and Höflein. Other municipalities are Bruck an der Leitha, Edelstal (but belongs to Burgenland), Hainburg and Stixneusiedl. Well-known vineyards include Altenberg, Bärnreiser (Bärenreiser), Birnzipf, Bühl (with Subrieden Aubühl, Kirchbühl), Geizbillen, Gsetzen, Hagelsberg, Haidacker, Kräften, Neuberg, Rosenberg, Scheibner, Schüttenberg, Spitzerberg and Stuhlwerker.

Grape variety index

In 2022, the vineyards covered a total of 832 hectares of vines. Compared to 2015 with 907 hectares, this was a reduction of 75 hectares (9.3%). The proportion of red wine varieties is 56%, the proportion of white wine varieties 44%. Zweigelt dominates with over a quarter, followed by Grüner Veltliner, Blaufränkisch, Merlot and Chardonnay.

DAC system

The origin-controlled Carnuntum DAC quality level was introduced from the 2019 vintage. All other quality wines must be marketed with the origin Lower Austria, the regional wines under the wine-growing region designation Weinland. In addition to the generally applicable DAC conditions, special rules apply. The established Rubin Carnuntum brand for Zweigelt wines typical of the region will continue to exist alongside the DAC regulation.

The quality wine grape varieties Grüner Veltliner,Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay are authorised for white wines, while Blaufränkisch and Zweigelt are permitted for red wines. Single-varietal wines must be vinified exclusively from these, blends from at least two thirds. This means that cuvées can also contain up to a third of other quality wine grape varieties, such as St. Laurent, Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot for red wines.

There are three levels: regional wine, local wine (from a local wine-growing community, up to 15% from neighbouring communities) and vineyard wine ( vineyards registered in the wine-growing register, up to 15% from neighbouring vineyards). The wines must be dry. Red wines must have an alcohol content of at least 12% by volume. In addition, local and single vineyard wines wines must be given sufficient time to develop their independent and expressive character. The application to obtain the state inspection number may not be submitted before 15 March for white wines and 1 November for red wines in the year following the harvest.

Producers

Well-known producers are Artner Hannes, Böheim Johann, Dorli Muhr, Edelmann Christian, Glatzer Walter, Glock Günther, Grassl Philipp, Jahner Leo, Lager Markus, Markowitsch Gerhard, Markowitsch Lukas, Nepomukhof, Netzl Franz, Oppelmayer, Ott Stefan, Payr Robert, Pelzmann, Pimpel, Pitnauer, Schenzel, Taferner Alois, Taferner Franz, Trapl and Zwickelstorfer. Traditionsweingüter Österreich is a well-known winegrowers' association.

Höflein: © ÖWM - Armin Faber
Map: © ÖWM