Posted in:

Heiligenbrunn – The cradle of the Uhudler wine

© by Arnold Weisz

Heiligenbrunn is a little gem tucked away in the southeastern corner of Austria. The main tourist attractions are the unique and characteristic historical wine cellars and of course the Uhudler wine.

The small village of Heiligenbrunn in Burgenland is located in the transition between the rolling hills that characterize south-eastern Austria and the vast plains that dominates western Hungary. Forests and vineyards dominate the landscape around Heiligenbrunn. Also, the architectural traditions in this part of Austria differ greatly from the well-known Tyrolean style houses you find in the Alps.

The wine cellar district

Heiligenbrunn is known for its so-called “kellerviertel” which you find in the vineyards just above the village. The characteristic small whitewashed houses, many of them with thatched roofs, create a unique atmosphere. Strolling among the picturesque houses, constructed between the 17th and 19th centuries, is like travelling back into history. Situated on a slope surrounded by forests and vineyards, a cluster of these cellar houses has emerged. These previously served as production and storage sites for the local wine farmers. Today the wine production facilities have moved into more modern locations.

< Click on the images to enlarge >

Thatched roofs

Today, there are still 140 wine cellars, 56 of which have thatched roofs that are protected as historic buildings. Some are completely renovated, while others desperately need some love and care. According to some of the owners we talked to, it’s hard to find people who know the craft of straw thatching and whitewashing. Moreover, this type of preservation is very expensive, even if one receives subsidies from both the EU and the local government. Most of the basement houses are privately owned. Some work as small wine shops where you can taste and buy Uhudler products. Others have become summer cottages to let and a couple of functions as museums, where you can see wine presses and other items related to wine production.

Sacred spring water

The village was named Heiligenbrunn (the sacred well) after the Ulrich Spring which was discovered by monks and first mentioned in written sources in the 13th century. Heiligenbrunn was called Szenkút (Hungarian) until 1921 and belonged to the Kingdom of Hungary, which was part of the Imperial Empire of Austria-Hungary. For several centuries the Heiligenbrunn region belonged to Hungarian noble families who ruled at nearby Castle Güssing.

Advertisement

Wine Festival

Today, the tranquillity of this unchanged cultural landscape, apart from a small trickle of tourists during the summer months, prevails. During the weekdays, you can stroll undisturbed through the idyllic hamlet, soaking in the love landscape and peculiar architecture. However, twice a year there is organized chaos in the hamlet of 265 inhabitants. The summer party in July and the Wine Festival in September entice thousands of visitors to the region to celebrate the local and very distinctive wine Uhudler.

Uhudler

One of the most distinctive wines produced in Austria, Uhudler originates from the area around Heiligenbrunn in southern Burgenland. Uhudler wines are usually made red or as a kind of rosé from the Noah, Isabella, Concord, Clinton and Delaware grape varieties. Many will immediately recognise that the grapes have American names. These grapes were imported from the United States to Europe after wine louse had destroyed much of the European vines in the 1860s. The fruity Uhudler wines have an intense aroma of strawberries, forest berries or blackcurrants and are preferably drank cold. Although Uhudler is primarily a kind of aperitif wine, it also goes well with chocolate, sausages and cheese.

For more info, see the website from Burgenland Tourism
  • Railjet from the Austrian State Railway in a winterlandscape

    Posted in:

    6 cool ski resorts reachable by train in Austria

    Austria’s airports are well-connected to major cities and central train stations. Therefore, we have put together a list of excellent ski resorts that are easily reachable by train, including some info on how to get there from the airport. Moreover, many ski resorts offer inexpensive or free transfers to and from the nearest train station […]

    Read more

  • Hking in Southern Styria

    Posted in:

    Hiking among the vineyards in Southern Styria

    Hiking in wine regions has become popular in Austria. Many people enjoy the rolling hills and soft landscape as a contrast to the fantastic opportunities for alpine hiking in the Alps. We, therefore, ventured out on a 5.8 km (3.6 mi) long hike in southern Styria through vineyards, forest groves, and open farm landscapes. Nature […]

    Read more

  • Bregenz - seaside fun in the Alps, Vorarlberg, Austria

    Posted in:

    Bregenz – Seaside fun in the Alps

    Situated on the banks of Lake Constance, the town of 29.000 inhabitants is a world away from Vienna at the other end of the country. The westernmost state capital of Austria – Bregenz, is best known for its annual theatre festival. However, the city also offers visitors seaside escapes, mountain hiking, and innovative architecture. Nonetheless, […]

    Read more

  • Italian flagthrowers at the Medieval FEstival in Mauterndorf, Austria.

    Posted in:

    Medieval Festival in Mauterndorf

    Time travel a few hundred years back to the Middle age when the entire village was full of people dressed in historical costumes, and armed knights roamed the streets mingling with flame breathers. The Middle Ages come alive at what has become the legendary folk festival in Mauterndorf, an hour’s drive from Salzburg. Every July […]

    Read more

  • View of Gumpoldskirchen from the vineyards

    Posted in:

    4 delightful day trips from Vienna

    Going on a day trip from Vienna by public transport is easy. Whether you are in Vienna by plane or have driven here by car, you can quickly go on a journey of discovery just outside the city. We have been on 4 fantastic day trips with entirely different experiences, which you can do in […]

    Read more

  • Rosshütte funicular railway, Seefeld, Tyrol, Austria

    Posted in:

    5 fantastic places in Austria accessible by funicular railway

    Austria has short urban funicular railways and longer tracks that take you up the mountains. A funicular railway consists of two vehicles that counterbalance one another rather than independently operated railway cars. Furthermore, they are usually barrier-free and perfect if you are a wheelchair user or travel with a stroller. 1. Hallstatt – Salzbergbahn A […]

    Read more

Advertisements

Share, , Google Plus, Pinterest,

Written by Arnold Weisz

Globetrotting multilingual communications specialist born in Vienna, Austria – with passion for scuba diving, golf and culinary delights! 15 years of experience as a scuba- and travel reporter for among others: X-Ray Dive Magazine and Dykking.