Discover Carinthia's highest vineyard
A vineyard in Upper Carinthia? That's hard to believe - but it's true! In Flattach, the village at the foot of the Mölltal Glacier, is Carinthia's highest vineyard of the CountBERGER - Ernestine Berger, at an altitude of 880 meters above sea level. Since the vineyard is not accessible by car, a weekly hike to the vineyard incl. guided tour and tasting takes place from the grape blossom to the grape harvest.
That sounds exciting we thought and signed up for the hike to the wine blossom.
Registration for the hike
Since we received the information about the hike from the tourist office Obervellach-Reißeck, we also registered there for the hike. Registration also works directly with the hiking guide Sylvia Granitzer or the winemaker Ernestine Berger.
Meeting and starting point of the vineyard walk
Starting from Obervellach, we headed to the neighboring community of Flattach, where the vineyard is located. The meeting point is at the parking lot of the Hotel Fraganter Wirt in Außerfragant. (9831 Flattach, Außerfragant 16) The hotel is located directly on the main road and is therefore easy to find. The parking lot offers plenty of space and can be used free of charge.
Once there, the hiking guide Sylvia Granitzer and her dog Emma greeted us warmly. When the small group was complete, the journey to the vineyard started and we were really excited - until now we couldn't see a vineyard anywhere.
Start of the hike & exciting stories
At the beginning we marched from the meeting point through the small district of Außerfragant. At an old farm we stopped briefly and Sylvia told us a legend about the Perchten, who long ago moved through the valley and took naughty people or bad children...
At the end of the village, a small path, the Laaser Rundweg, leads into the forest.
The adorable dog lady Emma already knows the way and led us to the vineyard.
Romantic & Shady Hiking Trail with Delicious Wild Strawberries
After the first few meters, the path narrowed and a shady, romantic path meandered through the forest up to the Grafenberg. Through the densely overgrown forest, we were protected from the sun the entire way and the temperature was pleasant.
Many fruity wild strawberries lined the path and have spread a wonderful fragrance. Of course, we did not miss the opportunity to taste a small strawberry now and then! 😉
Sylvia told us short and interesting stories about the surroundings, vegetation and about mining in the community during small rest breaks in between.
Arrival at the vineyard
After about 45 minutes of walking at the end of the path has suggested that we are now very close to the goal. When we then spotted the winemaker, who was already waiting for us, it was clear to all of us that we had now arrived at our destination. But still we could not see any vines...
One last small clearing had to be climbed until the highest vineyard in Carinthia finally revealed itself. Indeed - at 880 meters above sea level, in the midst of breathtaking natural scenery, secluded from the road and civilization grows wine.
A sip of refreshing Uhudler refreshed us after the hike before we started the tour through the vineyard with Ernestine Berger. She told us what motivated her to grow her own wine. On her own initiative, the industrious winemaker started in 2012 to have an access road built to her south-facing slope in order to subsequently plant the first vines. What is very special is that in the area where the vineyard is located, a microclimate zone prevails and thus makes viticulture in this region possible at all.
Guided tour of the vineyard
In the meantime, the winemaker has planted 1,600 vines of the Regent, Zweigelt, Merlot and Rössler varieties and looks after these vines all by herself. No matter whether it's pruning the vines, tying or mowing. Only during the harvest she gets help from acquaintances and friends. But she loves this work and puts all her energy and love into her "alpine" vineyard.
Culinary pleasure tour
After the guided tour, we were already insanely looking forward to tasting the organic wine. The winemaker uses only natural fertilizers and "brews" her own liquid manure from nettles, for example.
In the meantime, the cozy garden table was already invitingly set. There was a huge cheese platter, with different types of cheese, all of which Sylvia has produced herself. She utilizes the milk from her two cows and makes her own cheese from it. The winemaker baked her own bread and we were allowed to help ourselves. It was just delicious.
For snack there were then also 3 wines for tasting. A Zweigelt from the year 2015 and 2016 and a Cuvee from last year. We must say - we are thrilled and could not believe that in this location so tasty wines are created.
We can only recommend the tour to the vineyard to everyone!
