One of the three specific wine-growing areas in the Austrian province or generic wine-growing region of Styria. It lies close to the borders with Slovenia and Hungary, as well as Burgenland. Formerly called Südoststeiermark, the area was renamed Vulkanland Steiermark in 2016. It is also known as the "land of castles and palaces".
In the north, there are vineyards at 650 metres above sea level on the Ringkogel near the municipality of Hartberg, which are among the highest vineyards in Austria. Climatically, this is a transition zone between a hot, dry Pannonian climate with little rainfall and a warm, humid Mediterranean climate. Volcanic soils with sandy loam, clay and basalt weathering predominate. The towering volcanic cones shape the landscape and also gave the new name. The two large vineyards are called Oststeirisches Hügelland and Steirisches Vulkanland.
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Andreas Essl
Autor, Modena