2026 isn’t exactly making things easy for us winemakers. But let’s be honest: The truly exciting vintages were rarely the easy ones.
The summer in Andau was hot and, above all, dry. Very dry. Our vines had to work hard—and so did we. But that’s exactly where Andau’s true character shines through. Our soils, the Pannonian climate, and—above all—the deeply rooted vines cope surprisingly well with drought. While conditions in some wine-growing regions were significantly more challenging, we in Andau can be quite satisfied with how things have gone so far.
That’s just typical Andau.
Early. Very early.
The harvest began significantly earlier this year in Burgenland than in an average wine-growing year. Here in Andau, too, we got an early start. The many hours of sunshine and dry conditions have accelerated the ripening process accordingly.
What we’re particularly pleased about: The grapes show beautiful ripeness and, at the same time, good freshness. And it’s precisely this combination that makes a vintage interesting. Ripe fruit on its own is lovely—but it’s only when combined with freshness, vibrancy, and structure that it becomes a wine that’s truly a pleasure to drink.
And that’s what it all comes down to in the end.
What can we expect from 2026?
Of course, it’s still too early to make any definitive judgments. After all, wine sets its own pace—and that’s exactly how it should be. In any case, our first impressions are very positive. The grapes were healthy, aromatic, and of the highest quality. We expect expressive wines with plenty of fruit, good structure, and the necessary balance.
When it comes to red wine, in particular, we’re eager to see where this journey takes us. After all, hot days, cool nights, and our Andauer vineyards are a solid foundation for Zweigelt and other varieties. Or to put it another way: 2026 is looking pretty good in the glass.
The best answer is in the glass
There’s a lot to say about a new vintage. But it’s even more exciting to taste it for yourself.
The first really great opportunity to do so will be at the “” Wine Festival on November 8, 2026, in Andau.
On this day, we Andauer winemakers will open the doors to our cellars and invite you to go from winery to winery, taste the wines, and get to know the first wines of the new vintage. Of course, there will also be plenty of time to chat—about the harvest, about 2026, and about what we expect from this vintage.
And that’s exactly what the Wine Festival means to me: not spending a lot of time philosophizing about wine, but stopping by, meeting the winemakers, and tasting the wines for yourself. So if you want to know what 2026 tastes like in Andau, mark November 8 on your calendar.
We, the Andauer winemakers, look forward to seeing you.
