Design your wine tours with our experts

The Carnuntum Wine Region is one of the most beautiful wine regions in Austria. It's been home to many wineries for centuries and is a true gem of the Danube Valley. This region is perfect for both wine-lovers and nature-lovers. Carnuntum itself was a thriving city with more than 50,000 inhabitants during the Roman era. But unlike other cities of comparable size, like London, it struggled and shrank back. However, there is archeological proof of its former splendors. The Heathens' Gate there, which dates to that time period, serves as the region's official emblem.

Check out Carnuntum Wine Tasting and Tour!

Where is Carnuntum Wine Region?

Carnuntum extends east from Vienna to Slovakia's border. The Leitha Range, the Arbesthaler Hills, and the Hainburger Mountains are three hilly regions where the vineyards are dispersed south of the Danube. With its heavy loam and loess soils, as well as some sandy-gravelly vineyard sites, Carnuntum—named after the Roman military installation and the civil/administrative city that grew around it—offers ideal conditions for viticulture. Vineyards cover about 900 hectares (a little more than 2,200 acres).

History of the Carnuntum Wine Region

From 50 AD, Carnuntum served as the Pannonian fleet's headquarters and was a Roman legionary fortress. It served as the provincial capital of Pannonia Superior after the first century. Its impressive ruins can be found on the Danube in Lower Austria, halfway between Vienna and Bratislava, in the Carnuntum Archaeological Park, which spans 10 square kilometers and includes the modern villages of Petronell-Carnuntum and Bad Deutsch-Altenburg.

Carnuntum was once a major trading center for amber, brought from the north to traders who marketed it in Italy; the primary arm of the Amber Road crossed the Danube at Carnuntum.

Terroir of Carnuntum

The region's wine growing has also been impacted by the Danube. Due to the variety of soil types brought about by its ever-changing path over the centuries, careful site selection is essential for vintners. Typically, thicker soils made up primarily of free-draining gravel produce more refined, age-worthy wines than thinner soils made up primarily of deep, rich loess found lower on the hills. The grapes have plenty of time to ripen due to the warm easterly breezes and long hours of sunshine. The Danube and Neusiedlersee lake to the south, however, continue to moderate the climate. Here, ripening proceeds gradually and uniformly, balancing the sugar and acidity in the grapes to produce balanced wines.

Wine Characteristics of Carnuntum Wine

Carnuntum was recently given DAC status in 2019. Therefore, the name of the winegrowing region may only be listed on the label of wines that clearly demonstrate regional typicity and origin. The three-level pyramid of origins, comprising Ortswein (village wine), Riedenwein, and Gebietswein, will be used going forward by Carnuntum. Among the red varieties, Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch stand out particularly. Chardonnay, Weissburgunder, and Grüner Veltliner are the designated white DAC varieties, and Carnuntum DAC consistently proves to be a reliable source for these well-structured and robust white wines. White cuvées can include up to a third of other white Qualitätswein grape varieties, just like DAC reds do.

Food to Pair with Carnuntum wine

Wiener schnitzel

The Wiener schnitzel is a thinly sliced, breaded, and pan-fried veal cutlet that is one of the most popular Austrian dishes. It is typically served with a dollop of lingonberry jam, lemon wedges, and either buttered parsley potatoes, a straightforward potato salad, or french fries.

Tafelspitz 

Tafelspitz is a dish from Austria that consists of boiled beef served with horseradish sauce. The beef is traditionally served on top of noodles or mashed potatoes and accompanied by red cabbage and pickled vegetables.

Peking Duck

Peking Duck is a traditional Chinese dish made of smoked duck, served in thin pancakes, with accompaniments such as scallions, cucumber, and hoisin sauce. The dish is usually wrapped in a pancake and eaten with hands. There are two ways to cook Peking Duck: the first is to roast it in its own fat; the second is to steam it.

Places to Visit in Carnuntum Wine Region

Museum Carnuntinum 

To gather the discoveries from Carnuntum in one location, the Museum Carnuntinum was founded. As a result, it served as the first excavation museum in German-speaking countries. The museum not only showcases ordinary people's daily lives, but also prominent figures who left a lasting impression on the city, such as emperors, well-known governors, and wealthy citizens. Thus, a journey of discovery through the Roman city of Carnuntum can be started at the Museum Carnuntinum.

Heathen's Gate

The Heathen's Gate, which is situated about 900 meters south of the city of Carnuntum, was most likely built during the rule of Emperor Constantius II (351–361 AD). The Heathen's Gate was once a quadrifrons, an ancient Roman structure with an archway on each of its four sides and a cubic shape supported by four piers. The cube was 14.5 meters on each side. It was a triumphal monument, as evidenced by the enormous plinth that blocked the passageways in the middle of the building. On the roughly 4.3-meter-high plinth, an enormous statue of the emperor most likely stood.

Civilian City Amphitheater

The civil city's amphitheater, which was constructed at the end of the second century AD, was located outside the old city walls. The arena was surrounded by tiered seating that could hold about 13,000 spectators on either side of the gates. The Roman city quarter is about ten minute walk from the amphitheater in the civilian city. The gladiator school of Carnuntum was situated close to the amphitheater in the urban area, and it was first discovered in 2011. A training room, their own bathrooms, and a sizable assembly area were also on the property. A wooden practice field measuring 19 meters in diameter was once part of the interior courtyard and has since been rebuilt next to the amphitheater.

Frequently Asked Questions about Carnuntum Wine Region

How many wine regions are there in Austria?

There are many wine regions in Austria, but the six most important ones are Kremstal, Wachau, Kamptal, Thermenregion, Neusiedlersee, and Wagram.

What is a Zweigelt wine?

The most widely planted red wine variety in Austria, Zweigelt, which is a cross between Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent, produces half of the nation's red wine. Zweigelt is available in a variety of styles, with good aging potential, ranging from light, fresh, and simple to nuanced and powerful.

Is Blaufränkisch Pinot Noir?

Pinot noir is the Swiss equivalent of Blaufränkisch in Austria. Both varieties are difficult to cultivate and press. When it succeeds, however, the result is red wines that inspire. 

Map of Wineries in Carnuntum

Discover the locations of wineries in Carnuntum