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Single Vineyard Summit 2026 - Austria’s ÖTW association makes strong statement on sustainability

by Marion Topitschnig

25/03/2026

At what is arguably the country’s most prestigious tasting event, wine experts from around the world gather to taste the new vintage of all the Erste Lage (Premier Cru) wines, before they are released on the market. Organised by Österreichische Traditionsweingüter, this year’s Single Vineyard Summit will feature another first: all the wines presented during the 7 to 10 September tasting will be certified organic, biodynamic or Sustainable Austria. But this pioneering group of Austrian wineries has more news to reveal…

Silent Tasting at Single Vineyard Summit of Österreichischen Traditionsweingüter — © Manu Grafenauer

The Single Vineyard Summit held in Grafenegg castle complex west of Vienna is a wine tasting like no other. “To me, this is the best tasting in the world,” says Tara Q. Thomas of Jancis Robinson, whilst Alexander Koblinger MS, sommelier at one of Austria’s most renowned restaurants, Döllerer, sums it up: “Here you can experience Austria's vineyards and origins in a way that is more concentrated than anywhere else.”

From the setting to the concept, the Single Vineyard Summit organised by the 92- member ÖTW is unique in every respect. Held annually in early September since 2013, it has become the most important platform for Austrian single-vineyard wines and a firm fixture on the international wine scene.

The 2026 Single Vineyard Summit, which will take place from 7 to 10 September, will feature a 100 percent sustainable tasting programme for the first time, cementing Österreichische Traditionsweingüter’s reputation for being pioneers of sustainable viticulture in Austria. From the 2023 vintage onwards, ÖTW winegrowers are required to hold the Austrian sustainability label ‘Nachhaltig Austria’, the minimum standard for the EU organic label (organic grape production) or an equivalent certification. At this year’s Summit, for the first time, all wines – including those from the participating guest associations and regions – will come from organic, biodynamic or sustainably certified wineries.

Austria's Single Vineyard Summit at Grafenegg Castle — © Manu Grafenauer

“With the Single Vineyard Summit, the ÖTW has not only created a professional platform for wine experts worldwide but also demonstrated the exceptional quality that Austria has to offer as a wine producing nation. Its consistent focus on Austria’s most significant wines of origin speaks for itself and sends a clear message about the positioning of Austrian wine as a product that is conscious of its history, tradition and culture.”

ÖTW Chairman Michael Moosbrugger

Best of Burgenland

In recent years, the Burgenland appellations of Leithaberg and Eisenberg have participated as guest regions at the Single Vineyard Summit. However, for the first time this year, guests will be able to sample the full range of the finest wines of origin from this region south of Vienna. Around 25 winemakers from across Burgenland will present their single-vineyard wines. Andreas Kollwentz (Leithaberg), Albert Gesellmann (Central Burgenland) and Heike and Gernot Heinrich (Neusieldersee) are among those looking forward to their first appearance at Grafenegg.

ÖTW-Geschäftsführer Michael Tischler-Zimmermann

“By opening up the Summit to single-vineyard wines from across Burgenland, we are creating a comprehensive picture of Burgenland’s top wines and making them more relevant to our international wine experts.”

ÖTW Managing Director Michael Tischler-Zimmermann

Silent tasting facilitates full concentration

In the setting of the former riding school at Grafenegg Castle – which is set to reopen in summer 2026 as the Rudolf Buchbinder Hall following extensive modernisation – around 300 wines from 92 wineries across eight wine regions and 145 ÖTW Erste Lage sites can be tasted during the four-day summit in a silent tasting format, with two tasting slots per day. Participants can choose which wines they wish to taste and in what order. This concept allows tasters to put together a personalised programme tailored to their individual preferences and needs. Another special feature of the summit is that the winemakers themselves personally serve the wines at the tasting tables.

“If you want to experience the summit in all its diversity, you should set aside the whole week. You can get a taste of it in a single day, but it’s only over several days that you’ll discover not only the ÖTW wineries but also the many other exciting aspects of this event,” says Max Bomm, Wine Scout at Germany’s Lobenbergs Gute Weine.

In addition to the eight ÖTW regions and Burgenland’s debut, the STK (Styrian Terroir and Classic Wineries) and Vinea Wachau will also once again be represented at the Single Vineyard Summit.

ÖTW Appellation	Guest Associations	Participating as a region for the first time
Carnuntum	STK	Burgenland
Kamptal	Vinea Wachau
Kremstal
Thermenregion
Traisental
Wagram
Weinviertel
Vienna

Single Vineyard Summit tickets

Traditionally, the major Erste Lage tasting for private wine enthusiasts takes place on the Saturday before the start of the Single Vineyard Summit. This year, for the first time, they have the opportunity to attend the summit itself. A strictly limited number of tickets for Wednesday 9 September, priced at €400, will be sold via the ÖTW ticket shop.

Good to know – ÖTW Single Vineyard Summit 2026

WHEN?

Monday 7 September to Thursday 10 September 2026
Two tasting sessions per day: 9 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 6 pm

WHERE?

The Single Vineyard Summit takes place in the Rudolf Buchbinder Hall (formerly the riding school) at Grafenegg castle in Lower Austria. The venue is located just 60 kilometres from Vienna and is easily accessible by public transport. A free shuttle service runs between Wagram-Grafenegg railway station and the tasting venue.

WHAT?

The ÖTW winemakers present the latest vintage of their single-vineyard wines before they hit the market. Attendees can put together their own tasting programme from around 300 wines from the 92 ÖTW members across eight wine regions and 145 Erste Lage vineyards, along with a further 300 or so wines from Burgenland and the guest associations Styria’s STK (Steirische Terroir & Klassik Weingüter) and Vinea Wachau. There are two fixed tasting slots per day with a silent tasting format.

WHO?

The Single Vineyard Summit is traditionally reserved for industry professionals only. However, in 2026, for the first time, there will be a strictly limited number of tickets available for private wine enthusiasts.

Registration for professionals

Buy tickets

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About Österreichische Traditionsweingüter

The winegrowers association was founded in 1991 as a consortium between the Danube regions of Kamptal and Kremstal. 17 estates took part in a pilot project whose stated goal was the classification of Austrian vineyards. Over time, this grew to the current level of 90 members. The ÖTW sees the ÖTW.classification as a tool to provide wine aficionados with a clearer system for orientation and appreciation of appellations and sites.

Bundesverband Österreichische Traditionsweingüter
c/o Kloster Und
Undstraße 6, A-3500 Krems

Österreichische Traditionsweingüter

Marlies Auer

Head of Content

Competent, analytical, and exceptionally sharp – yet also witty, connecting, and sociable: with Marlies, Wine+Partners has gained a professional with vision and outstanding expertise in wine and fine indulgence. A certified wine and beer sommelier, she studied International Wine Business and gained international experience at a digital agency in Napa Valley. Marlies feels just as at home in the digital world as she does in the world of wine and beer – a combination she brings together seamlessly in her work. In her free time, she is always in search of the most beautiful places on earth – whether on foot, by bike, or by boat.

m.auer@wine-partners.at