The South Styrian Wine Road

The Suedsteirische Weinstrasse follows ridge tops through hills so steep that most of the work in the vineyards is still done by hand. The wines are white and dry: Sauvignon Blanc above all, then Welschriesling, Morillon, which is the local name for Chardonnay, and Gelber Muskateller. The landmark of the region is the Klapotetz, a wooden windmill with hammers that clatter against a board to keep birds off the fruit, put up in summer and taken down after the harvest. Buschenschank taverns, which are farm-run and licensed to serve only their own wine and cold food, are how the region eats and drinks. The road runs close to the Slovenian border for much of its length.

What you actually see

• The Klapotetz - the wooden clapper mills turning on the slopes between summer and harvest.
• Sauvignon Blanc - the grape the region is judged on, lean and green-edged here.
• The ridge road - the drive itself, hairpins along the tops with vineyards falling away both sides.
• Buschenschank rules - farm taverns serving their own wine and cold plates, open in set weeks only.

When to go

Late August to the end of October is the season, with the harvest and Sturm, the cloudy part-fermented must sold for a few weeks only. Spring is quiet and green. Many farm taverns open in rotation for a fortnight at a time and shut for winter, so check the published opening calendar before setting out for a particular village.

Honest expectations

The roads are narrow, steep and busy at weekends, and there is nowhere to park at the popular viewpoints. Tasting and driving do not combine, buses are rare, and somebody has to abstain. Farm taverns serve cold food only by law, which surprises people expecting hot dishes. Autumn weekends turn the whole ridge into slow traffic.

Nearby

Leibnitz, the Sulm valley and Graz lie to the north.