On The Wine Trail at Scheiblhofer Vineyards with Mövenpick
Beautiful Burgenland Austria
If you’ve never been to Burgenland in Austria you’ve got a surprise in store when you visit. This beautifully scenic area to the east of Vienna is stunning!
The capital of Burgenland is Eisenstadt, with the baroque palace of Schloss Esterházy, a popular concert venue, Haydn House, showcasing some of the original instruments belonging to composer Joseph Haydn, and even Haydn’s mausoleum close by.
Lake Neusiedl lies close to the border with Hungary, surrounded by picturesque villages and vineyards.
Lake Neusiedl
Scheiblhofer Vineyards Burgenland Austria
We were in Burgenland to visit the vineyards – but not just any vineyard, the Scheiblhofer vineyards! The biggest Austrian producer for Mövenpick wines, Scheiblhofer are well known for their full bodied wines. Merlot, Shiraz, Zweigelt and Cabernet Sauvignon are just some of the grape varieties they cultivate here.
Perfect Climatic Conditions
The hot Summers, mild Winters and proximity to the lake all help develop the very special climate which favour their wines. Our guide for the tour of the vineyards was Harald Braunsteiner, a certified sommelier and the Head of Sales for Scheiblhofer. Friendly, helpful and absolutely passionate about wine, he accompanied on our tour of the vineyards and tutored us at the various wine tastings.
Harald Braunsteiner
We toured not just the wine production area but also the beautiful vineyards with stunning views over the surrounding area.
From the watch tower we had views not just of Burgenland and of all the vineyards, but over the border into Hungary too.
One of The Largest Vineyards in Austria
One of the largest vineyards in Austria, Scheiblhofer was founded by Joahnn Scheiblhofer. His son Erich, who developed much of his wine expertise in the New World in California and Australia, is now in charge and is keeping the company at the forefront of the latest wine technologies and developments.
Erich Scheiblhofer
Quality Diam Corks for Quality Wines
For example, as far as wine closures are concerned they are using a brand new patented cork technology – Diam corks whose de-aromatized cork closures are a technological leap forward. Much better than normal cork with its associated problems, and avoiding the “screw cap” closure which is so disdained by certain overseas markets, Diam corks are a great solution for wine closures.
The premises themselves are bright, modern and shiny with lots of glass, steel and wood.
Beautiful Accommodation at Scheiblhofer
The vineyard also has nine beautiful modern rooms where you can stay. A one hundred room hotel is currently in the planning stages – so in the future there will be plenty of accommodation here.
Award Winning Big John
Scheiblhofer have a reputation for good wine. They have won many awards and in fact in 2011 the Scheiblhofer Cuveé Rot, Big John, won an unprecedented 94.5 points (out of 100) from a cross section of 300 wines! Not only that, but the vineyards have also been awarded “Winery of the Year” as well as having relied an award for sustainability by the Austrian Winegrowing Association.
Sweet Red Wines
I’m not a great fan of sweet white wines, but when I was at Scheiblhofer, Harald introduced me to a truly fabulous Scheiblhofer sweet red wine. It was the first time I had tried sweet red wine but I must say this wine was so soft, mellow and delicious that I instantly fell in love with it! It’s perfect with desserts but also with chocolate, patés and blue cheese.
Try Before You Buy – Open To The Public
The Scheiblhofer Vineyards are open to the public for free tastings. They are extremely welcoming and even have a minibus to pick you up from nearby hotels if you are staying in the region.
The wine tasting area in the Vineyard offers a huge variety of wines to taste, try and buy. It really is the perfect place to find out which wines you really enjoy.
Nearby Lake Neusiedl
Nearby is the beautiful Lake Neusiedl with a selection of fabulous lake side restaurants where you simply want to relax and chill. On the first day we dined at the Restaurant Das Fritz and on the second day we dined at the Restaurant Mole West. Both were stunning locations directly on the lake.
Lunch at Das Fritz Lake Neusiedl
Das Fritz
Mole West
Dining directly on the lake with fabulous and you cold easily spend half a day here relaxing, walking and maybe boating on the lake. If you crave shopping and a city trip, then Vienna is only a drive away.
A Perfect Getaway
If you like high quality wine, would like to visit some fabulous vineyards and enjoy stunning lakeside vistas, you really must visit the Scheiblhofer Vineyards and the wonderful surrounding area of Lake Neusiedl. Whilst you’re at it why not visit Vienna too!
Scheiblhofer Vineyards
For more information visit the Scheiblhofer website here.
Mövenpick Wine Tasting Events
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With thanks to Mövenpick Wines and Scheiblhofer for hosting us. All views and comments are entirely our own.
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