Simply good. The Schilcher shimmers rosé in the wine glasses, a wine with race and aromas such as redcurrant, wild strawberry, raspberry, nettle and paprika. But the Blaue Wildbacher grape has even more talents, it can also be enjoyed as an equally pressed white wine, as a sweet wine, invigorating sparkling wine and even as a strong red wine. The beguilingly nutty pumpkin seed oil, the second icon of Schilcherland, cuts just as fine a figure. The ideal starting point for the Schilcher Wine Route is the Ligist flower market. In 1664, Wolf Rudolf von Saurau made Schilcher respectable when he brought the first 4,000 Schilcher vines to Ligist. In order to make Schilcher known far beyond the borders of western Styria, the first Schilcher market was held in Ligist in 1970. The Ligist market Schilcher and the Klapotetz, the symbol of the wine region, set the mood. STRUNG LIKE ON A STRING OF PEARLS The road continues via Gundersdorf/St. Stefan up to Langegg/Greisdorf in the middle of the vineyards. A photo stop is made at the Hochgrail vineyard: one of the greatest sites for Schilcher, but also a feast for the eyes, so pretty are the picturesque Kellerstöckel along the romantic road, strung like on a string of pearls. With a length of 1.5 kilometres, the Hochgrail also offers the longest row of closed houses in Styria. Winemakers and wine taverns invite you to taste and enjoy a hearty West Styrian "Brettljause" (snack) at every turn. The journey continues via Marhof down to Erzherzog-Johann-Markt Stainz, where the magnificent Stainz Castle greets you from afar. From the station, the colourful Flascherlzug steams through the Stainz valley on a special trip. Those interested in other means of transport can chug through Schilcherland on the Traktorgaudi. After a short drive on through vineyards and orchards, you should taste the healing waters in Bad Gams or make a culinary stop in the largest vinegar cellar in Schilcherland, the Farmer-Rabensteiner world of experience and enjoyment. And there is one more highlight: a wonderful panoramic view from the vineyard lookout. HIP AND HISTORIC The next stop is in Wildbach, home of the Wildbacher grape. A pretty eye-catcher is Wildbach Castle with its rich baroque and rococo décor. The journey continues through the vineyards to the Schilcher town of Deutschlandsberg. The wonderful old town, Deutschlandsberg Castle and the Archeo Norico Castle Museum are just a few good reasons for a visit. Twelve kilometres further on, Hollenegg Castle awaits with its magnificent towers, gables, arcades and a park with time-honoured trees. From the castle you go to Aichegg, where several wineries line the Schilcher Wine Road. Whether on foot or by bike, pausing at the lovingly tended Breitling Chapel of Ferienhof Höller is definitely recommended. What should you do? Preferably nothing. Simply take a seat on the bench at the back of the chapel and let the warm rays of sunshine shine on your face while you look out over the Schilcher vineyards of Aichegg. The holiday feeling can be perfectly extended with refreshments in one of the nearby Buschenschänke. NATURE AS A REMEDY From Aichegg you head south to Bad Schwanberg. The health resort is known for its medicinal mud bath. There you can enjoy treatments with the particularly effective high moor from Garanas, for example in the form of a pleasant full bath with a well-balanced healing moor and water filling. The tranquil Greißlermuseum and the Lebensschmiede arts and crafts gallery in the village are worth a visit. A stroll through the charming market with the little church on Josefiberg and the small alleyways is also worthwhile. CYCLING AND ENJOYMENT In Wies, it's a must for gardening enthusiasts to stop by the State Experimental Station for Special Crops. On 1.5 hectares of open land there are display fields with various types of vegetables, pumpkins and summer flowers. A quick trip to the Schilcher village of Wernersdorf to visit two winegrowers: The Schilcherei® Jöbstl - known for extraordinary creations - and the Erlebnisweingut Pauritsch have already won the state competition in the Schilcher category several times. Eibiswald is the beginning and end of the Schilcher Wine Route. The Kloepferhaus, the Lerchhaus with its special exhibitions and the Schilcher cellar are worth seeing. Schilcher refreshes from the inside, clear mountain water from the outside, so a trip to the Soboth reservoir is definitely worthwhile. If you want to get especially close to Schilcherland, you should cycle: You see more, hear more, experience more. In addition to numerous attractive mountain bike routes, there are also delightful "pleasure bike tours". From Buschenschänken to beautiful inns and 4-star hotels, the pleasure of a stop is guaranteed. Sport and enjoyment just go well together in Schilcherland. The Schilcher Wine Route runs through the districts of Voitsberg and Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)