Wine taverns near Lake Neusiedl
The shallow, salt-rich Neusiedler See isn’t just Austria’s biggest lake; it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Europe’s rare steppe lakes. With its sweeping reed beds and incredible wildlife, it’s a dream for nature lovers. The wide, open landscapes are as calming as they are invigorating—just like the local treats and house wines in the cosy, rustic, and modern wine taverns (Heurige and Buschenschänke) around the lake. So, let’s explore what these charming spots have to offer. Ausg'steckt is! (It's open!)
The three wine-growing regions around Lake Neusiedl
The warm climate, with plenty of sunshine, and the diverse soils around Neusiedler See create ideal conditions for producing fine white and red wines.
In the northern area of the lake, with its stony, sandy-loam soils, the fruity and spicy Zweigelt thrives, as do Blaufränkisch, St. Laurent, Pinot Noir, and Merlot. Along the Leitha Mountains to the west of the lake, mineral-rich white wines, including Grüner Veltliner, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, and Neuburger, are the stars of the region’s historic vineyards. And there’s also the Ruster Ausbruch—a top-class dessert wine.
Why Ausbruch? Ausbruch refers to sweet wines made from noble rot grapes. Noble rot, or “Edelfäule,” is caused by a fungus that draws water out of the grapes, making them shrivel like raisins. Since the berries are individually “broken out” by hand, they’re described as Ausbruch.
Selected Buschenschänken and Heurigen
Lake Neusiedl-Seewinkel National Park
The landscapes of the Neusiedler See-Seewinkel National Park are the complete opposite of the mountainous regions Austria is known for.
The Pannonian plain is flat, with diverse soils and expansive grasslands: Wetlands, pasturelands, reed beds, dry meadows, sand steppes, and saline areas all interconnect like puzzle pieces, providing a habitat for hundreds of bird species and impressive animals like Grey cattle and wild horses, creating a unique ecosystem that can’t be found anywhere else in the country. However, the region around Neusiedler See is not just a natural space—it’s also a centuries-old cultural landscape, with viticulture playing a central role.
Wild nature: In the so-called preservation zones of the nature park, i.e. natural areas without exploitation, endangered domestic animal breeds such as water buffalo, Gray cattle and white donkeys, also known as baroque donkeys, roam free.