We lived in Austria for six months in 2019, working vintage at a couple wineries about 60 miles up the Danube from Vienna. A lot of the philosophies and techniques that we practice at Lincoln Peak were learned during our time in Austria, and we left inspired by how this long history of growing grapes and making wine has affected the entire culture of the region.

For the month of October we will be celebrating an Austrian wine tradition known as Heuriger. Throughout the year, but especially in the fall, each winery in the village takes a turn opening their doors for a month at a time, offering the wines from their vineyard paired with local specialties like cured meats, cheeses, and fresh veggies. 

Heurigen have been an integral part of Austrian wine culture since the 18th century when Emperor Josef II passed a law allowing wineries to sell their own products, instead of just the noblemen. To indicate that their Heuriger is open, each winery hangs a decorated bundle of fir branches over their entrance. Just like the wines, every family’s Heuriger is a little different, but they all offer a cozy, humble atmosphere and the whole village seems to come out to drink the new wines, eat some hearty food, and chop it up with their neighbors.

We hope you’ll join us this month for Austrian-inspired charcuterie boards and mugs of sturm, the freshly fermenting wines of the 2025 vintage!