Meadows with gnarled fruit trees, chestnut forests and lush vineyards make this area seem like the epitome of Western Styria. Gently embedded in this successful melange lies an idyllic ridge, the Hochgrail. A sentence pops up in the thought: "What, so beautiful is it here?" Romantic little streets meander gently up the mountain. And the further up you get, the further a wonderful view opens up over the hilly landscape of St. Stefan ob Stainz.
Old farmhouses and romantic winegrower's cottages line the way to the vineyards on the Schilcherweinstraße. Deep down, the towers of the collegiate church of Stainz rise up, and the fields and meadows were scattered small houses like colorful polka dots. Up here you have the feeling that you are on a springboard, among us the vast country into which you can literally dive: the Grazer Hausberg, the Schöckl, on clear days eastern Styria, the South Styrian wine region and Slovenia shine up.
The gifted Blue Wildbacher
The Hochgrail is not only a feast for the eyes, it is also the home of a delicacy: the Schilcher has taken root here and feels as comfortable as in his living room. Pope Pius VI, who spent 1782 on a trip to Emperor Joseph II with the Franciscans of Maria Lankowitz, once wrote in his travel journal: "Here we were presented with a pink vinegar, which they call Schilcher." Blauer Wildbacher is the name of the grape variety, which was formerly nicknamed "Rabiatperle".
But the days are over when the pink to pink vine juice had to have at least 11 per mille of acid. Now he shows himself tamed, but he still has enough breed – and aromas like cassis, wild strawberries, raspberries, nettles and peppers. And like no other grape variety, the Blaue Wildbacher plays all colors. The grape is available as white like-for-like, schilcher, sparkling wine and red wine.
Largest contiguous riede
The vineyard is not only one of the steepest vineyards, but is also the largest contiguous vineyard in the entire wine-growing region of Western Styria on about 40 hectares. With a share of around 70%, the Schilcher is the clear number one. The area "am Grail" was first mentioned in 1218 with the founding of the Diocese of Seckau. Already around 1820 there were only a few gaps between the houses along the ridge. As if threaded on a string of pearls, the cellar sticks stand on the 10 to 20 m wide strips of vineyards. The houses, some of which are 200 years old, have mostly been renovated in style, and now you can make yourself really comfortable in the newly built residential and holiday homes. With a length of 1.5 kilometres, the Hochgrail is the longest closed row of houses in Styria.
The special connection of the inhabitants with the Schilcher In Hochgrail can be felt at all corners and ends. Winegrowers and bush esks invite you to taste, and they serve a hearty West Styrian Brettljause.