One of the six specific wine-growing regions in the Austrian province or generic wine-growing region of Burgenland. In 2016, the wine-growing regions were restructured with changes to the designations and area boundaries. The former name Südburgenland was replaced by Eisenberg.

The new name was chosen because the "ü" could have a disruptive effect when exporting and "Eisenberg" was already the name of the traditional wine-growing region in the past. From the 12th century onwards, the Cistercian monastic order in particular made a decisive contribution to the development of viticulture here. After the phylloxera catastrophe, the local wine speciality Uhudler was born here at the beginning of the 20th century.

Climate & soils

The Eisenberg wine-growing region differs significantly from the northern wine-growing regions of Burgenland in terms of its climatic conditions, above all due to the higher annual rainfall. The mild, Pannonian climate is characterised by intense sunshine (exposure). The forests favour a positive cooling effect at night. The soils consist mainly of ferruginous, clayey loam.

Wine-growing communities & vineyards

The area extends south of the Günser Bergland on the border with Hungary. The Pinkatal Wine Route leads from Rechnitz in the north along the border via Eisenberg an der Pinka and Deutsch Schützen-Eisenberg further south towards Güssing. Other municipalities are Badersdorf, Eberau, Güssing, Hannersdorf, Heiligenbrunn (Uhudler wine shop), Kohfidisch, Moschendorf (wine museum and Uhudler wine shop) and Strem. Well-known vineyards are Berngraben, Bründlgfangen, Csaterberg, Diabas, Fasching, Gfanger, Grenzgarten, Hummergraben, Janoschberg, Krutzlerberg, Paigl, Prantner, Ratschen, Reihburg, Rosengarten, Saybritz, Steinberg, Szápary, Ungerberg and Weinberg.

Grape variety index

In 2022, the vineyards covered a total of 511 hectares of vines. Compared to 2017 with 515 hectares, this was a reduction of 4 hectares (0.8%). The proportion of white wine varieties is 48%, the proportion of red wine varieties 52%. Blaufränkisch dominates with over a third, followed by Welschriesling, Zweigelt and Merlot.

DAC system

The Eisenberg DAC origin-controlled quality level was introduced from the 2008/2009 vintage. All other quality wines must be marketed with the Burgenland designation of origin, while regional wines must be marketed under the wine-growing region designation Weinland. In addition to the generally applicable DAC conditions, the following rules apply:

The red wines must be made from the Blaufränkisch variety, any blending is not permitted. The bottle must be labelled with a specific capsule, the appearance of which is determined by the regional wine committee. The date for the application to obtain the state inspection number is staggered. If the decision is favourable (usually within a week), the wine may be marketed. There are two quality categories:

Classic: The wines can be matured in stainless steel tanks or in wooden barrels, but they must have no or only a barely noticeable woody flavour (toast aroma). The alcohol content must be 12.5 or 13% vol. The closure must be a screw cap or natural cork. The application may be submitted from 1 August of the year following the harvest at the earliest (a decision is usually made within a week).

Reserve: The wine must be matured in traditional large wooden barrels or in barriques, i.e. wood flavours are permitted. The alcohol content must be at least 13% vol. Only natural cork stoppers are permitted. The application may be submitted from 1 February of the second year following the harvest at the earliest.

single vineyard wines From the 2022 vintage, wines made from Welschriesling with a vineyard designation are declared as Eisenberg DAC.

Producers

Well-known producers are Arkadenhof Mandl-Brunner, Groszer Wein, Jalits, Kopfensteiner, Körper Erich, Krutzler Reinhold, Schiefer Uwe, Schützenhof, Unger Gerald, Wachter-Wiesler, Wallner Gerhard, Weber Alfred and Weninger Franz. The association Weinidylle Südburgenland organises marketing activities and quality-enhancing measures.

Eisenberg and map: © ÖWM - Egon Mark
Szápari: © RossWeinberg
Lobster trench: Wine idyll of southern Burgenland