Nestled in the rolling hills of Vienna’s 19th district, Döbling—more precisely in the idyllic wine village of Sievering on the edge of the Vienna Woods—lies Weinhof Zimmermann, a true institution in Vienna’s Heurigen culture. The Weinhof is known for its terraced vineyards. When you sit outdoors there in the summer, you look directly out onto the vines and—depending on where you sit—enjoy a beautiful view over Vienna’s green hills. The ambiance is a perfect blend of traditional coziness and a slightly more upscale, very well-kept wine tavern atmosphere.
A Heuriger is, moreover, much more than just a wine bar. It is a piece of the Viennese way of life and a centuries-old tradition that is even part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. The word is derived from “heurig,” which means “this year’s.” Traditionally, the wine served there comes from the latest harvest. Until the following November 11, the wine may be called “Heuriger” ; after that, it becomes “Alter.”
From the Buschenschank to the Gemischter Satz
The tradition dates back to Emperor Joseph II, who in 1784 allowed winemakers to sell their own wine on their own premises. By the way , you can recognize a genuine Heuriger by the “Buschen”—a bound branch of spruce or fir twigs hanging above the entrance. When the Buschen is hanging, the wine tavern is open; when it’s gone, the establishment is closed.
By the way, a genuine Heuriger is only allowed to serve wine made on the premises, which means the culprit is quickly found if the wine doesn’t taste right. The most typical offering is a “Gemischter Satz”—a specialty found particularly in the Vienna wine-growing region. What makes this traditional production method unique is the joint cultivation, harvesting, and fermentation of up to 20 different grape varieties. Incidentally, Austria is the only country in the EU permitted to label wines as “Gemischter Satz.”
Weinhof Zimmermann: Tradition and Indulgence
At Weinhof Zimmermann, traditions are taken very seriously. They are particularly proud here—naturally—of their house-made Viennese Gemischter Satz, but their house-made fine brandies and grape juice are also very popular. And the classic Viennese apple strudel is nothing to sneeze at either. If you’re planning to stop by Zimmermann this weekend after a hike through the vineyards, you should reserve a table if possible at . Despite its size, the garden is often packed to capacity.
So, what are you waiting for? Pack up the dog, grab your loved ones, and swap the city noise for a glass of Viennese coziness at Zimmermann!
