Kamptal - World-Class Grüner Veltliner and Riesling

Summary / At a Glance

Kamptal is one of Austria's and the world's most prestigious white wine regions. Located along the River Kamp, west of the Danube, it is famous for Grüner Veltliner and Riesling of extraordinary minerality, precision and longevity. Langenlois – Austria's largest wine town – forms the heart of the region, while the legendary Heiligenstein is considered one of the finest Riesling sites in the world.

Kamptal benefits from a unique geological diversity: 270-million-year-old Permian desert sandstone at Heiligenstein meets loess, clay and primary rock in other sites. This soil diversity combined with Pannonian and alpine climate influences creates wines of outstanding complexity. Top wineries such as Bründlmayer, Hirsch, Schloss Gobelsburg and Fred Loimer enjoy world-class reputations and produce wines that regularly compete with Burgundy and top German Rieslings.

Quick Facts:

Location: Lower Austria, Kamp Valley west of the Danube
Size: Approximately 3,900 hectares under vine
Climate: Pannonian-continental with cool influences
Main Grape Varieties: Grüner Veltliner (50%), Riesling (15%)
Wine Styles: Mineral white wines, precise, age-worthy
Distinction: Heiligenstein (270 million-year-old primary rock), Kamptal DAC since 2008

Geography and Climate

Kamptal stretches along the River Kamp from Gars am Kamp in the west to the Danube in the east. The region is about 40 kilometres long and encompasses the wine villages of Langenlois, Zöbing, Gobelsburg, Strass, Schönberg and Kammern. Langenlois, with over 900 hectares under vine, is Austria's largest wine town.

The landscape is diverse: in the west, steep, terraced slopes with primary rock soils dominate (especially at Heiligenstein), while in the east, gentler hills with loess and clay soils prevail. The River Kamp winds through the valley, creating various microclimates.

The climate is a perfect blend of Pannonian (hot, continental) influences from the east and cooler, moister air currents from the Waldviertel in the west. Warm summer days with temperatures around 30°C alternate with cool nights – especially in autumn, when nighttime temperatures drop markedly. These day-night differences promote aroma development and preserve acidity structure.

The growing season is long, giving the grapes time to achieve phenolic ripeness while keeping the acidity fresh. Viticulture is less threatened by frost than in other regions, as the hillside locations and the river have a moderating effect.

The soils are extraordinarily diverse and form the basis for the terroir variety:

Permian desert sandstone: Heiligenstein (270 million years old, volcanic influences)
Primary rock: Gneiss, mica schist (Zöbing sites, Kammern)
Loess: Deep, nutrient-rich soils (Langenlois, Gobelsburg)
Clay: Heavy, clay-rich soils (Strass, Schönberg)
Conglomerates: Mixed soils with gravel and rubble

This geological diversity in a small area enables a broad palette of wine styles – from powerful and mineral to elegant and refined.

Grape Varieties

Grüner Veltliner

With approximately 50% of the vineyard area, Grüner Veltliner is the dominant grape variety in Kamptal. The region produces some of the world's finest Grüner Veltliners – mineral, complex, with tension and enormous ageing potential. Unlike the more opulent Veltliners from the Weinviertel, Kamptal Veltliner shows more minerality, stone fruit and a cooler, more precise style.

The best sites for Grüner Veltliner are Lamm (Langenlois), Steinmassl (Strass), Käferberg (Zöbing) and Renner (Strass). Loess and clay soils lend the wines power and fullness, while primary rock influences contribute minerality and tension. The wines show aromas of yellow apple, peach, citrus fruits, white pepper and a stony, smoky minerality.

Kamptal Veltliners can easily age 10–15 years and then develop notes of honey, nuts, dried fruits and a petrol-tinged complexity reminiscent of aged Riesling.

Riesling

Riesling accounts for about 15% of the vineyard area and reaches world-class level in Kamptal – especially at Heiligenstein. Heiligenstein is one of the world's most famous Riesling sites and is often mentioned in the same breath as the Rheingau, the Mosel and Alsace.

The 270-million-year-old Permian desert sandstone with volcanic components gives the Riesling extraordinary minerality, smoky notes and a precise, stony structure. Heiligenstein Riesling is taut, concentrated, with aromas of stone fruit, citrus, white flowers and a salty, smoky minerality.

The steep south-facing slopes of Heiligenstein store heat, giving the Riesling grapes optimal ripeness, while cool nights preserve acidity. The wines are long-lived – 20–30 years is not uncommon.

Other important Riesling sites include Gaisberg (Zöbing), Spiegel (Strass) and the terraces of Kammern, where Weingut Hirsch produces biodynamic Riesling from primary rock.

Other Varieties

Besides the two main varieties, Kamptal DAC also permits Chardonnay, Weißburgunder and Grauburgunder. These varieties play a smaller role but can be surprisingly complex in the hands of good winemakers. Weißburgunder from loess soils in particular shows a creamy texture and fine minerality.

Red wines – primarily Zweigelt and St. Laurent – are produced outside the DAC system and display an elegant, Burgundian style.

Wine Styles

Kamptal DAC (since 2008)

The Kamptal DAC system classifies region-typical wines by origin and style:

Kamptal DAC (Regional wine): Fresh, fruit-forward, accessible. Grüner Veltliner or Riesling, drinkable young, medium body (11.5–12.5% alcohol). No oak character.
Kamptal DAC Ortswein (Village wine): From a single commune (e.g. Langenlois, Zöbing), more concentration and structure. Shows local character (12–13% alcohol).
Kamptal DAC Riedenwein (Single vineyard / Erste Lage): From a single site (e.g. Heiligenstein, Lamm), terroir-driven, complex, age-worthy (12.5–13.5% alcohol). May be oak-aged.

Important: From the 2025 vintage onwards, all Kamptal DAC wines must be either organically certified or "Sustainable Austria" certified – a pioneering role in Austria.

OeTW Classification

Many Kamptal wineries are members of the Austrian Traditional Wine Estates (OeTW), which have introduced a Burgundy-style vineyard classification:

Erste Lage: Outstanding vineyards (e.g. Heiligenstein, Lamm, Gaisberg)
Große Lage: The finest vineyards (comparable to Grand Cru)

OeTW wines display vineyard designations and are often aged in large oak casks or stainless steel tanks to maximise terroir expression.

Wine Style Characteristics

Kamptal white wines are distinguished by:

Minerality: Stony, smoky, salty notes
Precision: Clear aromatics, focused structure
Tension: Vibrant acidity that unites power and elegance
Longevity: Ageing potential of 10–30 years
Complexity: Multi-layered aromatics that unfold with bottle age

Compared to the Wachau, Kamptal wines are often a touch cooler, more mineral and more precise – less opulent, but equally complex.

Top Wineries in Kamptal

Weingut Bründlmayer

Address: Zwettlerstraße 23, 3550 Langenlois
Website: bruendlmayer.at
Speciality: Riesling Heiligenstein, Grüner Veltliner "Lamm", Sekt
Awards: Falstaff "Winemaker of the Year" multiple times, 97+ points
Distinction: 90 hectares, OeTW founding member

Willi Bründlmayer is considered one of the finest white wine producers in the world. His Riesling from Heiligenstein is legendary – mineral, precise, with decades of ageing potential. The three main sites Heiligenstein, Lamm and Käferberg are terraced and biodynamically farmed.

Weingut Hirsch

Address: Hauptstraße 76, 3493 Kammern
Website: weingut-hirsch.at
Speciality: Biodynamic Riesling, Grüner Veltliner from primary rock
Awards: Falstaff 96+ points, Decanter World Wine Awards
Distinction: Biodynamic, Demeter-certified, primary rock terraces

Johannes Hirsch runs the family winery in Kammern and is a pioneer of biodynamic viticulture in Kamptal. His Rieslings and Veltliners from primary rock soils are taut, mineral and display a cool elegance. The steep terraces are tended by hand.

Schloss Gobelsburg

Address: Schloßstraße 16, 3550 Langenlois
Website: gobelsburg.at
Speciality: Grüner Veltliner "Renner", Riesling "Heiligenstein", historic castle
Awards: Wine Spectator 94+ points, Decanter Gold
Distinction: Cistercian heritage, since 1171, Michael Moosbrugger

Schloss Gobelsburg is one of the oldest wineries in Austria. The former Cistercian monastery has been managed by Michael Moosbrugger since 1996. The wines combine tradition with modernity – classically vinified, terroir-driven, with enormous ageing potential. The Grüner Veltliner "Renner" is a benchmark.

Weingut Fred Loimer

Address: Haindorfer Vögerlweg 23, 3550 Langenlois
Website: loimer.at
Speciality: Biodynamic wines, Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, natural wines
Awards: Falstaff 95+ points, organic pioneer
Distinction: 70 hectares, biodynamic, Demeter-certified, modern winery

Fred Loimer is a visionary of biodynamic viticulture. His 70 hectares have been farmed according to Demeter guidelines since 2006. Alongside classic DAC wines, he also produces "Loess" wines (natural wines) without added sulphur – experimental, authentic and polarising.

Weingut Hiedler

Address: Am Rosenhügel 13, 3550 Langenlois
Website: hiedler.at
Speciality: Grüner Veltliner "Maximum", Riesling "Heiligenstein"
Awards: Falstaff 96 points, Wine Spectator 93+
Distinction: Ludwig Hiedler, modern style, reserve wines

Ludwig Hiedler produces powerful, concentrated white wines with an international style. His "Maximum" Grüner Veltliner – from old vines and oak-aged – is among the finest Veltliners in Austria. The reserve wines show power, complexity and oak integration.

Weingut Jurtschitsch

Address: Rudolfstraße 39, 3550 Langenlois
Website: jurtschitsch.com
Speciality: Grüner Veltliner "Stein", Riesling, orange wines
Awards: Falstaff 95+ points
Distinction: Three brothers, biodynamic, experimental

The three Jurtschitsch brothers run the family winery with innovative drive. Alongside classic DAC wines, they experiment with skin contact, orange wines and spontaneous fermentation. The wines are authentic, vibrant and display a natural style.

Sub-regions and Important Sites

Heiligenstein

Heiligenstein is THE iconic site of Kamptal. The southwest-facing, steep terraces near Zöbing are planted on 270-million-year-old Permian desert sandstone – a geological rarity in Austria. The soil is volcanically influenced, sandy, well-drained and extremely mineral.

As early as 130 years ago, Heiligenstein was recognised as Austria's first "single vineyard." Today, Bründlmayer, Hiedler and other top producers craft world-class Rieslings – taut, mineral, with notes of stone fruit, citrus, white flowers and a smoky, stony minerality.

Langenlois

Langenlois, with over 900 hectares under vine, is Austria's largest wine town and the heart of Kamptal. The most important sites are:

Lamm: Deep loess, Grüner Veltliner from Bründlmayer
Steinmassl: Clay and loess, powerful Veltliners
Käferberg: Terraced site, primary rock influences, Riesling and Veltliner
Spiegel: Steep south-facing slopes, Riesling

Zöbing

Zöbing is the home of Heiligenstein and the Gaisberg site. Besides Bründlmayer, smaller wineries also produce outstanding Rieslings.

Gobelsburg / Strass

Gobelsburg and Strass lie in the eastern Kamptal with loess soils. The "Renner" site (Schloss Gobelsburg) is famous for elegant, mineral Grüner Veltliners. Strass is known for the "Gaisberg" site (Riesling).

Kammern

Kammern in the western Kamptal is characterised by primary rock soils (gneiss, mica schist). Weingut Hirsch farms steep, terraced sites here biodynamically. The wines are cool, mineral, taut – a different style from the fuller loess wines of Langenlois.

Winemaking History

Viticulture in Kamptal dates back to Roman times. Archaeological finds confirm Roman wine culture along the Kamp. In the Middle Ages, monasteries – especially the Cistercians – shaped viticulture. Schloss Gobelsburg was founded in 1171 by Stift Zwettl and is one of the oldest wineries in Europe.

Heiligenstein was first documented in the 16th century. In the 19th century, it was considered Austria's only single vineyard and was mentioned alongside top German sites.

After the phylloxera catastrophe at the end of the 19th century, viticulture was restructured. Grüner Veltliner largely replaced Riesling and became the main variety. In the 1970s and 1980s, a quality transformation began – led by Willi Bründlmayer and other pioneers.

The glycol wine scandal of 1985 triggered a radical rethink. Kamptal evolved from a mass-production region into a premium white wine region. The introduction of Kamptal DAC in 2008 strengthened regional identity and origin labelling.

Today, Kamptal is internationally recognised – Grüner Veltliner and Riesling from Kamptal stand on equal footing with the finest white wines from Burgundy, Alsace and Germany.

Challenges and the Future

Sustainability as a Pioneer

Kamptal is a pioneer in sustainability. The requirement that from 2025 all DAC wines must be organic or "Sustainable Austria" certified is unique in Austria. Many wineries – including Bründlmayer, Hirsch, Loimer and Jurtschitsch – are already biodynamic (Demeter) or organically certified.

The focus lies on soil health, biodiversity, humus building and minimal intervention in the cellar. Hand work in the steep terraces and avoidance of herbicides are standard.

Climate Change

Kamptal is less severely affected by climate change than other Austrian regions, as the cool influences from the Waldviertel have a moderating effect. Nevertheless, temperatures are rising and dry periods are becoming more frequent.

Winemakers are responding with adaptations: cover crops against erosion and desiccation, selection of drought-resistant clones, higher leaf walls for shading. At the same time, climate change opens opportunities for riper grapes and greater physiological maturity.

International Recognition

Kamptal has gained enormously in international prestige over the past 20 years. Grüner Veltliner and Riesling from Kamptal are regularly compared with Burgundies, German Rieslings and white Bordeaux.

The future lies in further strengthening the vineyard classification (OeTW), promoting single vineyards and developing new markets (USA, Asia). The combination of tradition, terroir and sustainability is a unique selling point.

My Personal Recommendation

Favourite Winery

Weingut Hirsch in Kammern is my absolute favourite. Johannes Hirsch combines biodynamic viticulture with an uncompromising terroir philosophy. The Rieslings and Veltliners from primary rock soils are taut, mineral and display a Burgundian elegance. The avoidance of fining and filtration makes the wines particularly authentic and vibrant. A visit to the steep, hand-tended terraces is an experience!

Wine Hike

The Langenlois Wine Trail leads through the most important sites around Langenlois – Lamm, Steinmassl, Käferberg. The 10 km route offers spectacular views over the Kamptal and ends in the old town of Langenlois with its numerous Heurigen and wine bars. Perfect in autumn during harvest or in spring at bud break.

Hidden Gem

Zöbing – the small village at the foot of Heiligenstein – is a hidden gem. Away from the main tourist routes, you will find authentic Heurigen where local winemakers pour their wines. Be sure to walk the Heiligenstein circuit – a short hike (45 minutes) that leads through the terraces and explains the geology. The views are spectacular!

Best Time to Visit

September to October is the ideal time. The harvest begins, the vineyards glow golden, and temperatures are pleasant (15–22°C). The Heurigen open with "Sturm" (new wine) and regional specialities. The Langenlois Wine Festival in early September is a highlight.

In May, during bud break, Kamptal is also beautiful – green vineyards, blossoming fruit trees and the "Open Cellar Door Day" with tastings at the wineries.