RUST’S VINOCULTURE

Vinoculture is a way of life for many families in Rust.   The vintners cultivate a variety of grapes and the climate of the Pannonian region – coupled with traditional know how – produce wines with distinctive bouquet and taste.

Heidi Schröck is Rust’s philosopher-winemaker.  Listening to her talk about Austrian wines and Ruster Ausbruch in particular at the Weinakademie Österreich (Austrian Wine Academy) was infectious; one could not help but share her enthusiasm for wine making and for the incredible wines of the region.

Schrock, who was named Winzer des Jahres (wine maker of the year) by the prestigious Falstaff wine magazine, has spent much of the past 20 years reviving the traditional wines of her Austro-Hungarian forefathers.  Her eight hectare vineyard produces 3,300 cases of wine each year.  Her grape varieties include 30% Weissburgunder, 10% Furmint, 10% Muscat, 10% Grauburgunder, 10% Welschriesling, 20% Zweigelt, and  10% Blaufränkish.

One of the town’s most popular attractions is Neusiedler See (Lake Neusiedl).

Neusiedler See (Fertő tó in Hungarian) is Europe’s fourth largest lake and is the perfect playground for those wishing to engage in any water related activity, including swimming, sailing, and windsurfing.  Straddling the Austro-Hungarian border, the lake covers 315 km², of which 240 km² are on the Austrian side and 75 km² are on the Hungarian side.

The National Park Neusiedler See-Seewinkel is a IUCN Category II preserve and the national parks in Austria and Fertő-Hanság in Hungary together comprise a World Heritage Site. The Neusiedler See and its surrounding areas in Austria are also protected through the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

Rust is a lovely 70 km (ca. one hour) drive from Vienna’s city center and there are several modern hotels including the Seehotel Rust for those wishing to spend more time here.

–Jonathan B. Spira is the Editor of Executive Road Warrior and Chief Analyst at Basex, a knowledge economy research firm.

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