Austria has launched a new classification of top vineyards. The classification is is named Traditionsweingüter Österreich and covers most Austrian wine regions.
The driving force for the classification was the producers association Österreicher Traditionsweingüter and the basis was the Austria’s appellation system DAC (Districtus Austriae Controllatus).
To date, there is only one level of classified vineyards: Erste Lage, the equivalent of First Growth. But there are plans to extend the classification upwards in the future, with some vineyards (possibly only 1 or 2%) being elevated to the equivalent of Grand Cru.
Membership of Traditionsweingüter Österreich is voluntary but most producers in Kremstal, Kamptal, Traisental and Wagram are members. The Wachau and part of Styria’ producers are not involved in it and they are putting up opposition to possible standardised classification of vineyards nationwide
