Hello From Austria Hiking Through The Vineyards Of Southwestern Styria
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Travel Leisure -> subcategory Vacations.
Hiking Through the Vineyards of Southwestern Styria: A Journey in Austria
Exploring Styria’s Wine Region
On a warm summer morning after a hearty breakfast, we embarked on an excursion to southwestern Styria. Despite feeling slightly fatigued from the previous day's activities?"a hike, a scenic drive, and a birthday party?"I was eager to explore the renowned wine-growing region west of Leibnitz. My companions on this journey were my brother Ewald, his wife Anneliese, and our friends Luis and Isabella.
A Region Rich in History and Flavor
Distances in Europe often surprise me compared to North America. Although southwestern Styria is just an hour from my hometown of Weiz, it feels distinct from East Styria. This area enjoys a mild climate influenced by the Mediterranean, making it ideal for vineyards. The rolling hills predominantly produce white wines, but you'll also find varieties like Zweigelt and Blauburgunder. The standout wine here is Schilcher, a rosé made from the Blaue Wildbacher grape, unique to this region.
A Walk Through Viticultural Heritage
We parked near the Weinbauschule Silberberg, home to a 1.5 km wine educational trail. This path offers insights into the history of winemaking and features old farming tools and a towering statue of St. Urban, the vintners' patron saint. Nearby stands a striking metal sculpture depicting a pest that once devastated Styrian vineyards.
Our hike along vineyard pathways offered stunning views toward the mountains separating Styria and Carinthia. We could see Schloss Seggau, a 12th-century castle originally built to guard against Turkish and Hungarian invasions, now transformed into a hotel and conference center.
A Panoramic Reward
Reaching the top of the hill, we ascended the Kreuzkogelwarte lookout tower at 496 meters, granting us a 360-degree view. To the north lay Graz, Styria’s capital, flanked by northern mountains, while Slovenia stretched southward and Carinthia to the west.
Ewald pointed out a vineyard owned by Thomas Muster, the famous tennis player from nearby Leibnitz. Muster, a former world number one, accumulated 44 ATP titles and now manages a vineyard, a fashion line, Alpine spring water production, and even a tennis racquet collaboration released in 2005. Clearly, a successful sports career can open many doors.
Culinary Delights in a Buschenschank
Our journey continued to a Buschenschank, a rustic venue where vintners sell their own wines and local delicacies. Originally, these establishments could offer only fresh wines and limited food options, but many now serve full restaurant menus.
As we descended through forests back to our car, we headed for lunch at Buschenschank Koschak. Seated beneath grape trellises, we feasted on traditional Styrian dishes: Fritattensuppe (a beef broth with thin pancake strips) and crispy Austrian fried chicken with rosemary rice, accompanied by a side salad marinated with pumpkin seed oil?"a local treasure.
The Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil
This oil, extracted from roasted pumpkin seeds, is my favorite salad dressing. Its nutty flavor comes from unique pumpkins whose seeds lack a hard shell. Although I usually bring a bottle back to Toronto, I've recently found a local source there, thanks to the city’s diverse culinary scene.
A Relaxing Day's End
After lunch, I succumbed to a long nap on the drive home. Later, I took a peaceful evening bike ride through my quiet hometown, a typical Sunday night in Austria, with everyone gearing up for the workweek. My brother and sister-in-law turned in early, and I followed suit to recharge for the next day.
A Drizzly Morning and Reunion
The following day was grey and rainy. At noon, I visited old friends, Andrea and Herbert, whose daughter had stayed with us in Canada. It was wonderful to reconnect with Andrea after 23 years. We shared stories and discussed their recent travels in Romania, reflecting on how travel becomes more meaningful as we age.
Embracing Local Attractions
We planned a visit to the Katerloch limestone cave, a regional tourist highlight, before I met Luis, Isabella, and Wolfgang for tennis. The club, complete with a bistro, was a delightful contrast to Canadian clubs, emphasizing Austria’s love for good food and gemütlichkeit?"a cozy, cordial atmosphere.
After an invigorating match and a satisfying meal, I concluded the day grateful for the vibrant experiences and looked forward to more adventures in this beautiful corner of Austria.
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