Austria

Leithaberg

About Leithaberg

The Burgenland slope along the western shore of Lake Neusiedl, anchored by the Leitha hills. Warm Pannonian summers with limestone-rich soils that produce Burgenland's most age-worthy reds (Blaufränkisch) and a celebrated lineup of dry whites from Welschriesling and Pinot varieties. Includes the historic town of Rust, famous for its Ruster Ausbruch sweet wines.

What Leithaberg produces

Red

Blaufränkisch from limestone-and-schist slopes is the DAC flagship — structured, mineral, and age-worthy. Also Pinot Noir and Sankt Laurent.

White

Welschriesling, Weißburgunder, Chardonnay, and Grüner Veltliner — fresh, mineral whites under the Leithaberg DAC.

Sweet

Ruster Ausbruch — botrytised sweet wines from the town of Rust, a tradition dating to the 17th century.

Climate

PannonianContinentalHot summersLake-moderatedAutumn humidity

Pannonian: hot, dry summers and cold winters, with the lake moderating extremes and reflecting light onto the slopes. Autumn fog over the lake encourages noble rot, supporting the long Ausbruch tradition in Rust.

Terroir

LimestoneSchistLeithakalkSandLoess

Limestone (Leithakalk) and crystalline schist on the higher slopes; loess, sand, and gravel near the lake. The schist-and-limestone combination is what defines the Leithaberg DAC for Blaufränkisch.

Typical Aromas

Sour cherryBlack plumIronGraphiteHoneyQuinceApricot

Explore the aroma wheel

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