Many small wine islands characterise the wine-growing region of southeastern Styria, especially on the slopes of extinct volcanoes, which give the landscape its unique character. 1400 hectares of vineyards are cultivated in concentrated form around the towns of Klöch, St. Anna am Aigen and Straden. One grape variety has special flair: the highly aromatic Traminer. The preferred form of marketing is the Buschenschank.
The region has been a hotly contested borderland for centuries, as evidenced by fortified castles and palaces perched on towering basalt cliffs. Today, the borders are open, and Riegersburg Castle, Kapfenstein Castle and other robust residences become venues for peaceful cultural or, in many cases, wine and gastronomic events.
For this type of event the wine-growing region offers a wide choice, as such a diversity of varieties can be found in few other wine-growing regions: Welschriesling, Chardonnay or Morillon, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris, Gelber Muskateller, Tramine, Sauvignon Blanc and even Riesling, complemented by interesting red wines, especially the Blue Zweigelt, but also other grape varieties, including St. Laurent or Pinot Noir.
The unifying element is a fine, mineral spiciness, which is due to the special geological conditions. Four wine roads lead through the charming hilly landscape and a good overview of the production is offered by the Gesamtsteirische Vinothek in St. Anna am Aigen.
Amongst the popular tourist destinations are the thermal resorts along the volcanic fault line. Viticulture is mainly carried out as a sideline, and most of the wine is sold in the hundreds of Heurigen - here called Buschenschanken. The most important wine-growing villages are Bad Radkersburg, Feldbach, Gleisdorf, Hartberg, Kapfenstein, Klöch, Riegersburg, St. Peter, Straden, Tieschen and Weiz. In the north, there are vineyards on the Ringkogel near Hartberg up to 650 meters above sea level, which are among the highest vineyards in all of Austria.
Climatically, the transition from the hot, dry, Pannonian to the warm, humid Mediterranean climate is strongly noticeable in the region. The vines grow in many cases on warm volcanic soil, basalt, sand, clay and weathered rock.
