South Styrian Wine Road
Steep vineyards, clattering klapotetz and Buschenschank taverns along the Slovenian border, ending at the Riegersburg fortress.
- Distance
- 122 km (76 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 41 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 8
- Countries
- Austria
- Updated
- August 26, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 122 km (76 mi) with 8 stops, from Graz to Riegersburg Castle. About 1 h 41 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Austria
Route description
From Graz, drive south into the Sausal hills to Kitzeck, one of the highest wine villages in Europe, with steep vineyards on all sides. Continue down to Leibnitz, where Seggau Castle on its hill has an old wine cellar and Roman stones set into its walls.
Gamlitz and Ehrenhausen mark the start of the South Styrian Wine Road proper. The narrow road winds along the ridge on the Slovenian border, in places with Austria on one side and Slovenia on the other, past Sauvignon Blanc vineyards and the wooden klapotetz rattles that scare off birds.
Stop at a Buschenschank, a family wine tavern that serves its own wine with cold meats, cheese and pumpkin-seed oil dishes. The road is steep and narrow, so large motorhomes should stay on the main valley roads and visit by bike or on foot.
Finish east in the Styrian Volcano Land at Riegersburg, a fortress on a basalt rock above a village known for chocolate and schnapps. September and October, when the grapes are picked, are the best months; spring is quieter and very green.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Graz
Austria - 240 km
Kitzeck im Sausal
Austria - 39 km
Leibnitz
Austria - 43 km
Seggau Castle
HistoryLeibnitz, AustriaA former bishops’ castle on a wooded hill above Leibnitz, with a historic wine cellar and Roman gravestones set into its walls.
- 57 km
Gamlitz
Austria - 63 km
Ehrenhausen
Austria - 77 km
South Styrian Wine Road at Ratsch
FoodEhrenhausen, AustriaThe narrow wine road follows the ridge along the Slovenian border through steep Sauvignon Blanc vineyards and clattering klapotetz rattles. Buschenschank taverns serve cold platters with local wine.
- 854 km
Riegersburg Castle
HistoryRiegersburg, AustriaA fortress on a volcanic rock in the Styrian Volcano Land, never taken by force. An inclined lift runs up the cliff; the steep footpath takes about 20 minutes.
FAQs
How long is South Styrian Wine Road?
3-day road trip of about 122 km (76 mi) with 8 stops, from Graz to Riegersburg Castle. About 1 h 41 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for South Styrian Wine Road?
We suggest 3 days: about 1 h 41 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does South Styrian Wine Road start and end?
It starts in Graz and ends in Riegersburg Castle.
Which countries does South Styrian Wine Road pass through?
Austria.
