Styrian Wine Roads
Why should you combine a holiday in Graz with a trip to Styria’s most beautiful wine roads?
Rolling vineyards and a warm climate make Styria’s wine-growing regions ideal for producing distinctive wines. The eight Styrian Wine Roads are spread across three wine-growing regions: Vulkanland Styria, Southern Styria and Western Styria.
Just around 45 minutes by car from Graz, the Southern Styrian Wine Trail awaits with its rolling hills and vineyards. The region is known for its award-winning wines as well as its traditional Styrian hospitality. Stop off at one of the many Buschenschänken (traditional Styrian wine tavern) and enjoy a hearty Brettljause, a Styrian cold platter, or a runner bean salad – accompanied, of course, by the famous Styrian pumpkin seed oil.
If your culinary journey takes you as far as West Styria, be sure to try a glass of Schilcher, the region’s distinctive rosé wine. The Schilcher Wine Trail is the main wine-growing area for the Blauer Wildbacher grape variety.
Which wine roads are close to Graz?
South Styrian Wine Trail & Schilcher Wine Trail
South Styrian Wine Trail
The South Styrian Wine Trail is the oldest and best-known wine road in Styria. Located around 45 minutes by car from Graz, it stretches for 25.5 kilometres and can be accessed from towns including Ehrenhausen, Gamlitz, Spielfeld and Leutschach.
Along the route, vineyards alternate with small villages, wineries and traditional Buschenschänken. If you would like to combine your stay in Graz with a trip to wine country, there are plenty of opportunities for wine tasting, culinary stops and hiking.
Tip: Use the Wine Styria winery search to find wineries, Buschenschänken and accommodation in South Styria.
Schilcher Wine Trail
West of Graz, the Schilcher Wine Trail leads through the home of the Blauer Wildbacher grape variety, which is used to produce the distinctive rosé-coloured Schilcher wine. The wine road begins in Ligist and leads via St. Stefan ob Stainz and Stainz towards Deutschlandsberg and Eibiswald.
The road takes its name from Schilcher, a rosé wine made from the Blauer Wildbacher grape and closely associated with West Styria. Wineries and traditional Buschenschänken along the route invite visitors to stop, taste the local wines and enjoy regional food.
The region can also be explored on foot. Hiking trails lead through vineyards and cultural landscapes, combining outdoor activities with regional cuisine.
Which wine roads are there in Styria?
Which wine roads are there in Styria?
There are eight wine roads in Styria, spread across the wine-growing regions of Southern Styria, Western Styria and Vulkanland Styria.
- South Styrian Wine Trail: Opened in 1955, it is the oldest wine road in Styria and stretches for 25.5 kilometres through South Styrian wine country. It can be accessed from Ehrenhausen, Gamlitz, Spielfeld and Leutschach.
- Schilcher Wine Trail: The route leads from Ligist through West Styria to Eibiswald and is closely associated with Schilcher wine, made from the Blauer Wildbacher grape.
- Sausal Wine Trail: Starting in Leibnitz, the Sausal Wine Trail follows the southern slopes of the Sausal wine-growing region through the Sulm Valley. At Fresing, it branches off from the B 74 and climbs steeply through mixed woodland towards Kitzeck.
- Klapotetz Wine Trail: Situated between the South Styrian Wine Trail and the Sausal Wine Trail, it takes its name from the Klapotetz, one of the characteristic symbols of Styrian wine country.
- Klöch Wine Trail: The 48.7-kilometre Klöch Wine Trail leads north from Bad Radkersburg. The area around Klöch is known, among other things, for its Klöcher Traminer wine.
- Southeast Styrian Hill Country Wine Trail: The route begins in Frutten-Gießelsdorf and leads via Straden to St. Peter am Ottersbach.
- Thermenland Wine Trail: Vineyards and thermal spas shape the landscape along this wine road in the Thermen- & Vulkanland Styria region. It is a continuation of the Klöch Wine Trail.
- East Styrian Roman Wine Trail: The route begins on the main square in Gleisdorf and leads via Kernstockgasse to Hohenberg and onwards to Gamling and the B 54.
What is there to experience along the Styrian wine trails?
Taste wine, enjoy regional specialities and hike through the vineyards
There are many ways to discover the Styrian Wine Trails: Visit wineries and traditional wine taverns, sample regional specialities or explore the vineyard landscapes on foot.
Buschenschänken & Styrian cuisine
Where wine meets regional specialities
For many visitors, stopping at a traditional Buschenschank (= wine tavern) is an essential part of a trip to Styrian wine country. These wine taverns are run by local producers, who serve their own wines together with cold dishes.
A Styrian classic is the Brettljause, a platter of cold meats, cheeses and other regional products. Depending on the Buschenschank and its menu, you can also discover other local specialities. Styrian runner beans (Käferbohnen) and Styrian pumpkin seed oil are closely associated with the region’s cuisine.
If you are planning to visit a particular Buschenschank, check its current opening days and closing days before setting off.
Wineries & wine tastings
Discover Styrian wine where it is produced
Numerous wineries are located along the Styrian Wine Roads. Many offer visitors the opportunity to taste their wines and learn more about wine-growing, grape varieties and the individual wine regions.
The tastings available and whether advance booking is required vary from winery to winery. It is therefore best to check directly with your chosen winery before your visit.
Hiking & wine hiking
Exploring Styrian wine country on foot
If you would rather not explore the wine regions solely by car, there are plenty of opportunities to discover them on foot.
Along the South Styrian Wine Trail, you will find not only numerous wineries but also culinary producers where you can discover regional specialities. If you simply want to sit back and enjoy the flavours of the region, a picnic in the vineyards is another option. In autumn, look out for stands serving Sturm (young wine) and roasted chestnuts.
Tip: A visit to a Buschenschank is a classic part of an excursion along the South Styrian Wine Trail. A traditional Brettljause accompanied by a glass of fruity Styrian wine makes a memorable combination.
In Schilcherland, there are also various culinary and themed hiking trails. Along the way, viewpoints, vineyard landscapes and places to stop for food and wine can easily be combined. Routes vary in length and difficulty, with options ranging from shorter walks to longer hikes.
The Klapotetz – a symbol of Styrian wine country
Frequently asked questions about the Styrian Wine trails
Planning a trip from Graz to Styrian wine country? Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions about the Styrian Wine Roads, getting there, Buschenschänken, wine and hiking opportunities.
The South Styrian Wine Trail can be reached from Graz in around 45 minutes by car. It can be accessed from Ehrenhausen, Gamlitz, Spielfeld and Leutschach and has a total length of 25.5 kilometres.
The picturesque villages and wine-growing areas of Berghausen, Ratsch, Sulztal, Glanz, Langegg, Schlossberg and Eichberg-Trautenburg lie directly along the wine road.
Looking for a Styrian winery, a traditional Buschenschank or somewhere to stay along the South Styrian Wine Trail? Discover all wineries in the South Styria region.
The South Styrian Wine Trail can be reached from Graz in around 45 minutes by car. Actual driving time depends on your starting point in Graz, your destination in wine country and current traffic conditions.
The South Styrian Wine Trail is the oldest and best-known of Styria’s wine roads and stretches for 25.5 kilometres. It can be accessed from the charming towns of Ehrenhausen, Gamlitz, Spielfeld and Leutschach. Picturesque villages and wine-growing areas such as Berghausen, Ratsch, Sulztal, Glanz, Langegg, Schlossberg and Eichberg-Trautenburg lie along the route.
Looking for a Styrian winery, a traditional Buschenschank or somewhere to stay along the South Styrian Wine Trail? The Wine Styria winery search makes it easy to find what you are looking for.
The South Styrian Wine Trail is 25.5 kilometres long. Along the route you will find wine-growing villages, wineries and traditional Buschenschänken.
The South Styrian Wine Trail can be accessed from Ehrenhausen, Gamlitz, Spielfeld and Leutschach. Along the 25.5-kilometre route are places including Berghausen, Ratsch, Sulztal, Glanz, Langegg, Schlossberg and Eichberg-Trautenburg.
You can visit wineries and Buschenschänken, discover regional specialities or explore the vineyard landscapes on a hike. In autumn, Sturm (young wine) and roasted chestnuts are also part of the region’s seasonal culinary offerings.
From Graz, the Schilcher Wine Trail begins in Ligist and extends for more than 74 kilometres through picturesque Schilcherland. Winding along narrow country roads, it leads via Gundersdorf to Greisdorf and Hochgrail, home to the famous rosé-coloured Schilcher wine.
The route then descends towards Stainz. From there, the historic Flascherlzug narrow-gauge railway continues its nostalgic journey to Preding.
The Schilcher Wine Trail continues via Bad Gams, Deutschlandsberg, Hollenegg and Eibiswald, passing through the picturesque landscapes of West Styria with its market towns, villages and castles.
Schilcher is a rosé-coloured wine made from the Blauer Wildbacher grape variety and is closely associated with West Styria. Along the Schilcher Wine Trail, you can discover the wine-growing region and its culinary offerings.
A Buschenschank is a traditional tavern run by an agricultural or wine-growing business, where producers serve their own products. In Styrian wine country, Buschenschänken are an important part of the regional wine culture. Wine is typically accompanied by cold dishes such as a traditional Brettljause.
Yes. There are various hiking trails through the vineyard landscapes around the South Styrian Wine Trail and in Schilcherland. Depending on the route, hikes can be combined with viewpoints and visits to wineries or Buschenschänken.
The Styrian wine regions can be visited at different times of the year. However, the opening periods of wineries, Buschenschänken and restaurants vary according to the season. It is therefore advisable to check current opening hours before your trip.
In autumn, Sturm (young wine) and roasted chestnuts are among the seasonal culinary specialities on offer.
The Wine Styria winery search allows you to search for wineries, Buschenschänken and accommodation in South Styria. Before visiting, check the current opening hours and available offers directly with the individual business.
Eight wine trails extend across Styria’s three wine-growing regions. Along these scenic routes, visitors can explore the landscape and stop at wineries and traditional Buschenschänken.
- Schilcher Wine Trail: Starting in Ligist when travelling from Graz, the route extends for more than 74 kilometres through Schilcherland.
- Klöch Wine Trail: The 48.7-kilometre route begins in the spa town of Bad Radkersburg and heads north towards Pölten, where it divides.
- Southeast Styrian Hill Country Wine Trail: Beginning in Frutten-Gießelsdorf on the Klöch Wine Trail, the route follows the L 256 westwards towards the Rosenberg wine-growing area, passing the vineyards of Neusetz and Hof.
- Thermenland Wine Trail: A continuation of the Klöch Wine Trail, it leads from Fehring via Unterlamm to Stein near Bad Loipersdorf.
- East Styrian Roman Wine Trail: The route begins on the main square in Gleisdorf and leads via Kernstockgasse to Hohenberg and onwards to Gamling and the B 54.
- Klapotetz Wine Trail: Situated between the South Styrian Wine Trail and the Sausal Wine Trail.
- South Styrian Wine Trail: Accessible from Ehrenhausen, Gamlitz, Spielfeld and Leutschach, the route has a total length of 25.5 kilometres.
- Sausal Wine Trail: Starting in the wine town of Leibnitz, the route follows the southern slopes of the Sausal wine-growing region through the Sulm Valley before branching off from the B 74 at Fresing and climbing steeply through mixed woodland towards Kitzeck.
