South Styria: Austria’s Premier Wine Region Just Waiting to Be Discovered
There are places where time seems to slow down, where every winding road reveals another vineyard, and where a glass of wine tells the story of the land. South Styria is one of those rare destinations. Tucked away in Austria’s southern corner, this enchanting wine region captivates visitors with rolling hills, world-class Sauvignon Blanc, charming wine estates, and unforgettable sunsets. It’s a place to savor — not just exceptional wines, but life’s simplest pleasures.
When travelers think of Austria, majestic Alpine peaks, imperial cities and classical music often come to mind. Yet tucked away in the country’s southern corner lies one of Europe’s most spectacular wine destinations — South Styria (Südsteiermark), home to some of the world’s finest Sauvignon Blanc wines.
The South Styrian Wine Roads
The three wine roads of Southern Styria are the best starting point for exploring one of the most beautiful wine regions in Austria. Each of them has its own character, but they all have in common a spectacular hilly landscape, excellent gastronomy and family-run wineries with a long tradition. The Südsteirische Weinstraße is the best-known and oldest wine route in the region. It winds along the Slovenian border through vineyards, picturesque villages and panoramic viewpoints, and is particularly famous for its excellent white wines, among which Sauvignon Blanc stands out. Some of the most famous Styrian wine estates are located along this road. The Sausaler Weinstraße leads through the area of the steepest vineyards in Styria.
Four Wine Villages Worth Exploring
Gamlitz – The Heart of South Styrian Wine
Gamlitz is the region’s largest and perhaps most recognizable wine village. Gentle rolling hills, terraced vineyards and limestone-rich soils create ideal growing conditions for elegant white wines.
Family-owned wineries dominate the landscape, many welcoming visitors for tastings and cellar tours. Signature grape varieties include Sauvignon Blanc, Gelber Muskateller, Pinot Blanc (Weißburgunder) and Morillon, the local name for Chardonnay.
Leutschach an der Weinstraße – Where Great Sauvignon Blanc
Situated directly on the Slovenian border, Leutschach is widely regarded as the heart of the South Styrian Wine Road.
Steep vineyard slopes, dramatic temperature swings between warm days and cool nights, and mineral-rich soils produce wines celebrated for their freshness, precision and vibrant acidity. The village is also famous for its traditional Buschenschank taverns, where visitors can sample local wines paired with homemade Styrian delicacies.
Many of the region’s finest Südsteiermark DAC wines originate here.
Ehrenhausen – A Blend of Tradition and Innovation
Ehrenhausen combines historic vineyard sites with some of Austria’s most modern wineries. Its rolling landscape features marl, slate and limestone soils that produce elegant, layered wines with remarkable complexity. The village has also evolved into a leading wine tourism destination, offering boutique hotels, gourmet restaurants and luxury accommodations. Several of Austria’s best-known wineries call Ehrenhausen home.
Kitzeck im Sausal – Austria’s Highest Wine Village
Perched at elevations reaching approximately 560 meters (1,837 feet), Kitzeck im Sausal is Austria’s highest wine-producing village.
Its breathtaking vineyards rank among the steepest in Europe, making mechanical harvesting nearly impossible. As a result, grapes are still harvested almost entirely by hand—a labor-intensive process that contributes to the exceptional quality of the wines. The panoramic views alone make Kitzeck worth the journey.
A Climate Made for Great Wines
South Styria benefits from a remarkable combination of Mediterranean warmth flowing north from the Adriatic and cool Alpine air descending from the mountains.
Long sunny days followed by crisp, cool nights allow grapes to ripen slowly while preserving their natural acidity. This unique climate produces wines known for their intense aromatics, freshness and remarkable balance.
White Wines Take Center Stage
South Styria is synonymous with premium white wines.
The region’s flagship variety is Sauvignon Blanc, accounting for nearly one-fifth of all vineyards. Internationally acclaimed, South Styrian Sauvignon Blanc is known for expressive aromas of elderflower, citrus, tropical fruit and striking mineral notes.
Other important grape varieties include:
Gelber Muskateller
Welschriesling
Morillon (Chardonnay)
Pinot Blanc
Pinot Gris
Riesling
Traminer
Together they showcase the diversity and elegance that define South Styrian winemaking.
Our Favorite Discoveries
Our base for exploring the region was the charming guesthouse at Weingut Schwarzl, while friends stayed nearby at Weingut Kögl. Both wineries offer comfortable accommodations surrounded by vineyards, generous breakfasts and excellent wines—an ideal way to experience the area’s relaxed lifestyle.
The Kögl winery in Ratsch an der Weinstraße is an example of authentic Styrian hospitality. The owner of the winery and farm, Tamara Kögl, cultivates a biodynamic approach to grape growing according to Demeter standards, so it is easy to conclude that the philosophy of staying here is based on respecting the nature in which you are staying.
You can sleep very well here (it offers cozy rooms and studio apartments surrounded by vineyards and pastures), and the friendly hostess unobtrusively tells you her story. After a few days, you will feel like you are part of her family. If you just want to visit this winery, take a look at the wine cellar and taste wines with the Demeter label, be sure to complete your wine experience with Tamara’s “Buschenschank“, a typical Styrian way of pairing wine with local cold cuts, cheeses and other delicacies. Equally charming accommodations are offered by the Schwarzl family winery in Ottenberg. What was a small farm for their own needs a few decades ago has developed into a modern wine estate with guest accommodation. Today, Johannes and Katharina Schwarzl continue the family tradition, offering guests a peaceful stay among the vineyards, homemade delicacies and wines produced on the estate. Read more about accommodation in this destination at www.suedsteiermark.com
We visited and tasted the wines at Weingut Wolfgang Maitz and Weingut Adam-Lieleg. Although they come from the same region and share similar climate conditions, their philosophy and wine style show two different interpretations of the same terroir. Maitz is known for its elegance, precision and pronounced minerality. The steep vineyards around Ehrenhausen, cold Alpine winds and limestone soils produce wines that are refined, pure and long-lasting. Their Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling are often considered references for the southern Styrian style – restrained at first, but complex and layered in the glass.
On the other hand, Adam-Lieleg with the young Florian brings a more modern approach and a strong focus on innovation in the cellar and vineyard. Their distinctive Sauvignon Blanc, which has also won international awards, is produced in exceptional locations such as Ried Gottscheber, where the microclimate and hand harvesting allow for a distinct aromatic depth and structure to the wine.
An unforgettable wine experience is provided by the Johann Schneeberger winery in the Sausal area. The Schneeberger family has been growing wine since 1870, and today the fifth generation is united by the same philosophy – to create wines that faithfully reflect the place where they are made.
Knowledge of soil, climate and vineyards is passed down from generation to generation, with respect for nature and sustainable production methods. A visit to a winery is not only about tasting wine, but also about getting to know the family tradition, Styrian hospitality and authentic cuisine in their Buschenschanka, where local specialties are naturally complemented by wines produced in one of the most special terroirs in Austria.
It is difficult to say which is the best because each is special in its own way, but they are all worth visiting if you have a driver because five or six types of wine in each winery are enough not to drive. We had Nikola who guided us masterfully through the forests and hamlets and successfully avoided all the curious deer at night.
Michelin Dining and More Than Just Wine
One of the culinary highlights of our journey was dinner at the Michelin-starred Restaurant Lieperts. Exceptional cuisine paired with outstanding local wines created an unforgettable dining experience. We had a memorable dinner at the Lieperts restaurant. The superb dinner we will remember was accompanied by equally memorable wines. Chef Manuel Lieperts has transformed family tradition into one of Austria’s most memorable cuisines. His dishes are based on recipes and flavors of Styria, but through modern techniques, precision and creativity they gain a completely new dimension. This approach did not go unnoticed by the Michelin guide, which awarded the restaurant a star, while three Gault&Millau toques further confirmed its quality.
But South Styria offers much more than wine.
Die Amtmann – a fragrant garden that celebrates nature and sustainability
One of the most pleasant surprises in southern Styria is certainly Die Amtmann, a family destination that combines a winery, a café and a natural garden into a unique experience. Along with a walk through the luxurious rose garden and fragrant gardens, visitors can taste Sauvignon Blanc, Gelber Muskateller, Welschriesling and aromatic cuvées that perfectly accompany the local cuisine. A special experience is the typical Styrian lunch – soup of several types of mushrooms with polenta, eggs in pumpkin oil and homemade desserts that pair well with light, fresh wines from their own production.
The secret of Styrian cuisine is hidden in pumpkin oil
No story about southern Styria can do without pumpkin oil. In Heimschuh is the Ölmühle Hartlieb, a family-run oil mill that has been producing top-quality oils for over a century. Styrian pumpkin seed oil is one of the most famous Austrian gastronomic products and is the holder of a protected designation of origin. During the tour, the hosts show you the entire production process, from the seeds to the final product with its characteristic dark green color and nutty flavor. It is especially interesting that in addition to pumpkin seed oil, the Hartlieb family also produces special oils from pine nuts, pistachios, hemp and tiger nuts, thereby further expanding the gastronomic offer of the region. Pumpkin seed oil here is not just a side dish. It is part of the identity of southern Styria and an indispensable souvenir that almost every visitor takes home.
We didn’t just drink it, we climbed the Demmerkogel Warte lookout and visited the Roman excavations of Flavius Solva.
The walk to the Demmerkogel viewpoint takes about an hour and a half and passes through vineyards, forests and open hills, and at the top of the trail there is a 23.8-meter-high lookout. From the top, there is a panoramic view of the entire landscape of southern Styria, and it is particularly interesting that the new tower was designed with an emphasis on sustainability and includes integrated nesting houses for local bird species. This combination of architecture, nature and ecology further confirms how committed the region is to preserving the environment. For those who want to get even more active, the Ratsch–Ottenberg wine hiking trail passes right by some of the most beautiful wine-growing areas. It is an easy route that you can explore on foot or by bike, and it allows you to get to know the landscape without great physical exertion, making it ideal for excursions.
On the Frauenberg hill near Leibniz is the Tempelmuseum Frauenberg, a place that preserves 6,500 years of history in the area. The museum is located on the remains of a Roman temple, the oldest free-standing masonry building in Styria. Among the most valuable exhibits are a marble statue of the god Mercury, Celtic gold coins and rare depictions of the mother goddess. The entire area is connected to the Roman city of Flavia Solva, one of the most important ancient urban centers in present-day Austria. A visit to Frauenberg provides an interesting contrast to the wine and gastronomic offerings and shows how deeply rooted the cultural heritage is in the identity of the region.
Why South Styria Belongs on Every Wine Lover’s Bucket List
South Styria is far more than one of Austria’s premier wine regions. It’s a destination where spectacular landscapes, world-class wines and authentic hospitality come together to create an unforgettable travel experience.
Whether you’re touring historic wine cellars, admiring panoramic vineyard views from Kitzeck, sampling award-winning Sauvignon Blanc in Leutschach or simply enjoying a leisurely lunch at a traditional Buschenschank, every stop reveals another chapter in South Styria’s rich winemaking story.
For anyone seeking authentic Austrian wine culture combined with breathtaking scenery and exceptional food, South Styria stands among Europe’s most rewarding — and still refreshingly undiscovered wine destinations.
Some destinations impress you with famous landmarks. South Styria wins your heart in quieter, more lasting ways. It’s found in the morning mist drifting over the vineyards, the warm welcome of family-run wineries, the aroma of freshly poured Sauvignon Blanc, and the panoramic views that seem to stretch forever.
Every glass tells the story of generations of passionate winemakers, every winding road invites another discovery, and every meal celebrates the region’s rich culinary heritage. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a weekend with friends, or a wine-focused road trip, South Styria offers an experience that lingers long after you’ve returned home.
Once you’ve discovered its beauty, you’ll understand why so many visitors don’t simply leave South Styria—they begin planning their next visit before the first one has even ended.
Foto: N.Zoko, V.Sestan
