The "Heurigen"

...an important part of Austrian culture!

The Heuriger - an important part of Austrian culture!

"Heuriger" is originally the name for the wine of the last Fechsung (vintage, harvest) and in the broad sense, the producer's place where it is served (Buschenschank). Lostag is Martini (November 11), where the previous year's wine has become the "old" and the freshly vinified Fechsung "Heuriger" since ancient times. The precursors of wine taverns in Vienna are already in the Middle Ages in the gaps in front of the ring wall. Viticulture was operated directly in front the city walls (Laimgrube, Rennweg, Alsergrund etc.). Many citizens owned vineyards outside of the city, whose income they (in return for a toll or fee for passing the gate) bring in these, stored in their (often multi-storey) house cellars and served in drinking stalls; in some monastic courtyards there were also wine cellars and bars (the drinking tax collected since Rudolf IV was called "Ungeld" which means "un-money").

The "Heurige" in the modern sense

dates back to a decree of Joseph II of 17 August 1784, which allowed the grape harvesters to distribute wine and fruit must or to sell their own food (such as nuts).

The inn "Zum weißen Ochsen" (Neulerchenfeld) advertised as early as 1784 in the Viennese newspaper "heurigen Wine" . The emergence of affordable transport made it possible for the urban population from the Vormärz to also visit suburbs situated in front of the city wall, where the wine taverns and bars grew rapidly; The natural awareness which arose during the Biedermeier period also contributed to the revitalization of the business. The Heurigen rides got going. Franz Schubert and his circle of friends, Ludwig van Beethoven, Ferdinand Sauter and many others were regular visitors; We know from Franz Grillparzer that in 1824 he led the German philosopher Hegel to the Heuriger in Nussdorf.

When from 1829 on the line wall the consumption tax was levied and one therefore lived cheaper outside of it, this was another incentive to visit locals in the suburbs; in particular Neulerchenfeld and those lying on the slopes of the Kahlenberg Hilll (Grinzing, Sievering, Nussdorf, Klosterneuburg, Salmann village, Neustift am Walde), but also Dornbach and nower viennese 16th district Ottakring were heavily frequented.

The opening of the light rail and the expansion of the electric tram led by the improvement of the traffic conditions to a flowering of Heurigen bars in the outer districts. The presentation was uniform (marked by the brush on the pole above the gate, rustic decor, uncovered tables, bringing the cold snack by the guests); Mood music (Schrammeln) became very popular, in some places it was almost compulsory. Gradually developed whole Heurigen-dynasties (including the family Mandl in Ottakring and Hernals, from 1807 the family Grünbeck and from 1871 Johann Weigl in Hernals). In 1834 it caused a sensation that a not "Hausgesessener", namely Johann Gschwandtner, opened a tavern. Around 1840 a reorganization of the Heurigenleben was initiated by Hernals through the Gruber-Franzl. He performed mainly at the Gschwandtner, played himself violin, flute and especially clarinet and was accompanied by harmonica and guitar players. The group is to be regarded as a precursor of the Schrammeln (Stahlener). Many songs of the folk singers sounded at the Heuriger for the first time and then sung throughout Vienna. Around the middle of the 19th century, the area devoted to viticulture in the city region reached its largest extent with about 1,200 hectares (it extends from Stammersdorf and Strebersdorf beyond) Danube to Kahlenberg and southwest to Ober-St.-Veit and Mauer).

The Buschenschank or Heurigen is not subject to the trade regulations, but is handled differently in the individual federal states (Buschenschankgesetz). In the interwar period Grinzing was discovered for the new sound film. Almost every one of the then popular "Viennese films" had real or asked "Heurigen scenes", especially with Hans Moser and Paul Hörbiger, or the "Bockerer"  but also Hollywood productions like the famous "The Third Man".

Since the decree of August 26, 1939, heuriger buffets are permitted, in which cold food that is not self-produced may be offered; Hot meals require a special license.