Umathum Winery

The lovely village of Frauenkirchen lies on the eastern shore of Lake Neusiedl, and just a short distance from the town's Baroque pilgrimage church is the award-wining winery of Josef and Ariane Umathum. A small shop greets visitors during the summer months and often the winemakers do, too. "Lively soils and alert plants point us in the right direction and give us the necessary inspiration on how to interact with them," Josef says, and in 2005 that philosophy led the family to join those converting to biodynamic farming methods.

On your visit, be sure to ask for a visit to the wine cellar. You'll be greeted by a large, cathedral-type ceiling, under which rows of precious barrique oak barrels lie aging; the atmosphere feels almost sacred. Be sure to taste the Zweigelt, St. Laurent and Blaufränkisch, Austria’s most important red wines.