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WHERE WINE AND WINEMAKERS TAKE ROOT
The name CARNUNTUM may sound as though it belongs alongside the Roman camps surrounding the famous Gaulish village of Asterix and Obelix. But unlike those fictional outposts, Carnuntum was very real. It was the administrative centre of the Roman province of Upper Pannonia, located in what is now Lower Austria.
While the druid Getafix was said to brew his legendary magic potion in the world of Asterix, the Romans in Carnuntum were already making wine here as early as the 2nd century AD. A different kind of magic potion, perhaps—but one with a remarkable ability to bring people together and bring them joy.
Nearly two thousand years later, that tradition lives on. Wine remains at the heart of Carnuntum, continuing to inspire, connect and delight generations of wine lovers from around the world.
In 1993, this wine-growing region—covering around 900 hectares of vineyards—was officially given the name Carnuntum. Today, it is one of Austria’s most exciting wine regions, celebrated for its distinctive terroir and characterful wines.
Among the many family-run wineries that have shaped Carnuntum, Weingut Markowitsch has become one of the region’s leading estates. Deeply rooted in this unique landscape, we have been farming our vineyards organically since 2015, combining respect for nature with an uncompromising commitment to quality. Every bottle reflects our belief that great wines are born in the vineyard and are a true expression of their origin.
CLIMATE & TERROIR
The vineyards of Carnuntum stretch across flat to gently rolling terrain. The climate is warm and Pannonian, yet dry, thanks to low rainfall and steady winds.
What sets us apart from other warm regions is the cooling influence of a large river — the nearby Danube with its extensive floodplains — as well as the Maria Ellender Forest. This creates the conditions for our wines’ cool, fresh, and elegant aromatics.
TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL
Carnuntum’s exposed location amplifies the effects of its continental climate. During the winter months, icy winds sweep across the landscape, while in July and August temperatures often approach 40°C (104°F). Yet as summer draws to a close, the nights become noticeably cooler. This pronounced shift between warm days and cool nights allows the grapes to achieve exceptional physiological ripeness while preserving their natural freshness and aromatic precision.
Despite the warm climate, limited water availability naturally moderates sugar accumulation, resulting in balanced alcohol levels and wines defined by elegance rather than power. The cool temperatures during the harvest season help retain vibrant acidity, giving the wines their characteristic freshness and longevity.
Annual rainfall averages less than 400 millimetres, making Carnuntum one of Austria’s driest wine-growing regions. Even so, our vineyards require no irrigation. Instead, we rely entirely on dry farming, allowing the vines to develop deep root systems that naturally adapt to their environment. The region’s loess, clay, limestone and gravel soils play a crucial role by storing the scarce rainfall and releasing it gradually, enabling the vines to thrive without additional water.
WINE ORIGIN CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
The term appellation structure may sound technical, but the idea behind it is quite simple. It describes the system that defines a wine’s origin and how a wine-growing region is divided into legally recognised geographical categories.
Like many of Europe’s great wine regions, Carnuntum follows a three-tier appellation pyramid consisting of regional wines, village wines and single-vineyard wines. This classification provides a clear understanding of a wine’s provenance—from the broad character of the region to the distinctive expression of an individual vineyard. It reflects the belief that the closer a wine can be traced to its origin, the more precisely it expresses the unique personality of its terroir.
Carnuntum’s single vineyards are shaped by gently rolling hills, formed millions of years ago by an ancient sea and the Danube. Each site has its own unique geology, exposure and microclimate, giving every vineyard a distinctive character that is reflected in the wines.
SINGLE VINEYARD WINES
A “Ried” (single vineyard site) is the smallest defined geographical origin. Wines from single vineyards with a distinct and exceptional character are labeled with the Ried name, reflecting the potential of a unique terroir. Under Austrian wine law, the word “Ried” must appear on the label before the vineyard name.
1ÖTW (Austrian Traditional Wineries) SINGLE VINEYARDS represent the finest and most significant vineyards in our estate. These wines are hand-harvested, spontaneously fermented, and carefully bottled after 18 months of maturation.
VILLAGE WINES
The village wines showcase the finest vineyards of each locality, ultimately brought together in a single wine. The unique character of the place — in our case, Göttlesbrunn and Prellenkirchen — is reflected in this category.
REGION WINES
The foundation of our appellation hierarchy. Fresh, approachable, and easy to enjoy, our regional wines express the character of Carnuntum with vibrant fruit, lively acidity, and moderate alcohol.
If you enjoy Zweigelt, we recommend our Carnuntum Rot and Rubin Carnuntum. Discover all our regional wines in the “Wines” section.
