Styria or Steiermark – the Wine Region and Farmers Basket of Austria
The province of Styria is well known as the wine region of Austria. However, you will be surprised and delighted by the countryside. With rolling hills and fertile land boasting a variety of crops, you can delight in everything that is grown on the land. The poplar trees give the feel of Tuscany, but the endless fields of corn and pumpkins are most definitely Styria.
Styria is known as the “Green Heart” of Austria. However, I renamed it the “Farmers Basket” of Austria. The reason is there are rows and rows of fields full to bursting with delicious foods. Do you know how Quinoa or Millet is grown? Neither did I, but now I do. Wheat, barley, oilseed rape, corn, pumpkins, thousands of fruit trees and sunflowers are abundant everywhere. Just imagine what that looks like when cycling through this gorgeous province.
Wine Roads (Weinstraßen)
There are 8 Wine Roads (Weinstraße) in Styria. I zigzagged my way across the area on several different routes starting in Deutschlandsberg. At Ehrenhausen, I joined the River Mur bike path to Bad Radkersburg, the most southeastern point of Austria. I didn’t follow any specific path as I kept getting distracted by different sights. I would find a bike path that was heading in that direction and take it. Therefore I would suggest getting lost in this area of Styria too. You will not be disappointed.
Buschenschank
On your journey around this area of Austria, you will come across Buschenschank. This is where a farmer can open his farm to you and sell what he grows or produces on the farm, which can include wine, cordials, cheese, meat, cakes, butter and bread. Cold meats and cheese platters washed down with excellent red, white or rose wines. You could even try some of their Sparkling wines (my favourite), which rival Prosecco. This is an experience that you must not miss when in this area of Austria.
Buschenschank Kolleritsch in Mureck is where I had a delicious cold platter washed down by refreshing elderflower cordial. All the Buschenschank I stopped at were incredibly good value for money. Most are only open on certain days of the week. However, you can pick up a leaflet from the tourist office for details on opening times and what they offer.
You can always tell if a Buschenschank is open as twigs will hang on the farm sign. The reason for this is that originally Buschenschank were small huts made of sticks. Therefore this is where the ‘buschen’ comes from, and now there are twigs outside to show the Buschenschank is open.
It’s a great experience to go to a Buschenschank, especially to taste the wine. Just don’t drive or cycle afterwards!
Styria, the Home of Pumpkin Oil
Here you are surrounded by vineyards, cornfields, and pumpkin fields. Styria is home to pumpkin seed oil which is incredibly tasty and versatile. That is to say, you can put it in soup, on your salad, dip your bread into it, and put it in spreads. Some people even put it in ice cream. Pumpkin Oil has huge health benefits for all sorts of issues, such as joint pain, lowering cholesterol, and decreasing hot flashes during menopause.
My favourite dish from this area is Backhendl salad. This is chicken breaded with crushed pumpkin seeds and baked in the oven. It is generally served with a salad dressed with pumpkin oil. This dish is undeniably delicious!
I stopped at “Hartliebs” pumpkin oil mill in Heimschuh. You will smell it before you see it. The smell of roasting pumpkin seeds will make your tummy rumble.
There is a lovely shop, and you can taste the oil for yourself upstairs. It is worth stopping for a taste and stocking up on supplies of their chocolate-covered pumpkin seeds. They have 25 different flavours of oil, so there will be something there to suit your tastes.
Bad Radkersburg
Bad Radkersburg sits right on the southeastern tip of Austria, with just the Mur River dividing Austria from Slovenia. Normally I could’ve ridden over the bridge, had a Burek, and then ridden back over. Unfortunately, this visit was just after the lockdown, and we couldn’t travel over the border.
The centre of the town with its Turm (Tower) and the old city walls surround it. As this is a spa town, many people visit to “take the waters” for health and well-being reasons. It has a pretty centre where you can relax and take it all in but most importantly sit with an ice cream
Bike Shop
On my tour, I had completed a lot of downhill sections. Therefore I knew I had to get my brake pads changed. I found a local bike shop which is in the centre of Bad Radkersburg. I have to say a big thanks to Dominik @fahrradfachgaescheft. Even though he was busy, he was kind enough to quickly sort out my bike. That is why I always recommend you go to your local bike shop, as they know what they are doing.
The variety of cycling and the countryside in this area is vast and well worth putting on your list of e-bike adventures. I will certainly be back for another visit.
Accommodation
I stayed at the JUFA in Deutschlandsberg. JUFA is a concept in Austria predominantly with Youth and Families in mind. However, my husband and I have stayed in several of these facilities and have always found them a good choice for an ebike tout.
JUFA are ideal for cyclists as they are practical and comfortable. They have everything you need with a bike lock-up, a drying room, comfy beds, and a hearty breakfast, and in addition, they are competitively priced.
What I like about this area:
- The variety of scenery, from rolling hills to vineyards to wide fertile farming land.
- Buschenschank is a fantastic experience which is right at the heart of farming and local produce.
- Pumpkin oil, taste it, dip it, pour it on a salad. It’s delicious.
- Lots of interlinking cycle paths allow you flexibility.