- Wien Mitte the Mall - The tour meeting point is Vienna’s ‘Wien Mitte’ railway station (09:10 Apr-Oct & 09:40 Nov-Mar). Once we’ve met and introduced ourselves, we’ll board a train southwards (approx 30 minutes) to the heart of the Vienna Woods.
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Vienna Woods - Summer
We begin our hike in the lovely spa town of Baden, once a favourite country retreat of Beethoven. We meander through the classic village centre and its gorgeous parks before hiking along forest trails towards a magnificent elevated viewpoint which overlooks the Vienna basin & the Wienerwald in all directions. This spot alone is a photographer’s dream! We then enter the vineyards, wandering through row upon row of lush green vines. As reward for our efforts, we’ll take a break sat among the vines for an open-air wine tasting.
Winter
Our train brings us directly to the vineyards of the Thermal Region and to one of Austria’s oldest wine making institutions, steeped in middle-age tradition and history. We’ll discover how the monastic orders became wine pioneers of their time, develop an understanding of what has shaped the Austrian wine landscape over time, and consider in what direction it may be moving forward…with a welcome glass of sekt in your hand, of course!
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Gumpoldskirchen - Summer & Winter
We then continue to the picturesque wine village of Gumpoldskirchen. On the summer itinerary we’ll have lunch at one of its traditional Austrian wine taverns before our second wine tasting, while on the winter itinerary we do the wine tasting before lunch.
The tasting is led by one of the region’s finest winemakers. This allows for plenty of opportunities to ask diverse questions ranging from family background and history, to the impacts of climate change, to organic production methods! All of which give an intimate insight into the challenges facing modern day vintners in Austria.
The tour ends with a short train ride back to the city centre. You’ll arrive to your hotel in plenty of time to freshen up before dinner, the opera, the theatre, or the concert. Whichever it is, you’ll sleep well that night!
- Wine tastings in idyllic vineyard and winery settings
- Scenic 9km guided hike through forest and vineyards (available in summer)
- Expert live commentary in English by a native speaker throughout the tour
- Lunch
- Gratuities for your guide
Austrian wine cultivation originated in Lower Austria, so we invite you to experience the stunning forests and vineyards of the Thermal Region, just south of Vienna. This area boasts charming traditional wine villages and unique local grape varieties. We highlight the best in Austrian agritourism with our wine tours. We provide two distinct tours, one for each season:
In the summer months (Apr-Oct), we trek through wooded footpaths and flourishing vineyards to savor the impressive panoramic views of the Vienna basin from above the treetops. We then proceed to one of Austria’s earliest wine villages for lunch and a visit to a winery where you can taste the finest wines the region produces.
In the winter months (Nov-Mar), instead of walking, we delve into the history, current status and future of Austrian wine by first touring one of its most ancient wine-producing institutions, established in 1141. We then organize a meeting with one of the region’s premier winemakers for a memorable wine sampling session and Q&A to present everything the Thermal Region has to offer.
- The summer hike is accessible for most people, with regular breaks built into the itinerary. However, please note that this tour is not suitable for people with mobility issues. While the majority of the winter itinerary is indoors, there is a gentle 20 minute walk through flat vineyards as we move between villages, so do dress warmly for that.
- Minimum age is 16 years old on the day of tour
- Use comfortable footwear in summer time - either trainers or sturdier hiking shoes
- To wear: Summer - shorts/light trousers, t-shirt, hat, extra layers/light rain jacket recommended for chillier conditions; Winter - check the weather forecast on the day of your tour and dress accordingly
- To bring: Summer - rucksack with drinking water, hat & sun cream, cash, fully charged camera; Winter - camera, cash & possibly an umbrella
- Go to the Venture Vienna website to read our FAQ and to learn more
- Please bring a mask for public transport as Vienna still has this requirement
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
