Visit to Weingut Tement, South Styria, in Steiermark, Austria
Weingut Tement is a top wine producer located in Southern Austria, with some of the highest rated vineyards in South Styria, or Südsteiermark and across the border in Stajerska Slovenia
Weingut Tement in South Styria, Austria - Source: Weingut Tement
Whilst exploring the beautiful Austrian wine region of Styria - or Steiermark, we couldn’t not visit top Styrian wine and Slovenia wine producer, Weingut Tement, known for its premium vineyards and being the largest Biodynamic Demeter certified winery in Austria and a leading organic and biodynamic wine producer.
Read on to see what we discovered!
Watch the video here:
An introduction to South Styria in Austria
Styria - or - Steiermark - is known for its superb Austrian Sauvignon Blanc wines and no more so than in the most southern of the three Styria wine regions - South Styria.
Today, South Styria produces world-class Sauvignon wines, ranging from fresh, fragrant wines to superior, extremely elegant wines. The range of wines reflects the wide range of soils and terroirs in South Styria, which includes sand, slate, marl and limestone. Additionally, the milder, quite humid Mediterranean climate with cooler nights perfectly suits the Sauvignon Blanc grape variety.
After Sauvignon Blanc, the next most popular grape variety is Welschriesling, then Gelber Muskateller, Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay (known as Morillon here).
South Styria map - Source: Austrian Wine
South Styria wine regions
As defined by the 2018 Südsteiermark DAC, there are five different wine locations in South Styria, including: Kitzeck-Sausal, Eichberg, Leutschach, Gamlitz and Ehrenhausen - and the wine classification includes ‘regional wines’ (Gebietsweine), ‘village wines’ (Ortsweine) and ‘single vineyard wines’ (Riedenweine).
In addition to the predominance of Sauvignon Blanc, South Styria is also characterised by its green, hilly ‘Tuscan’ landscapes and extremely steep vineyard slopes and the best way to experience the stunning landscapes is to follow the South Styrian wine road - or the ‘Südsteierische Weinstrasse’ (see later).
Weingut Tement
Weingut Tement is located on the Slovenian border, right down in the southernmost part of Austria’s Styria region, in the South Styria wine region of Ehrenhausen.
Tement Steiermark farms over 100 hectares of premium vineyards, most of which are in Styria Austria, but about 20 hectares are over the border in Stajerska, a wine region in the north east of Slovenia. Tement produces approximately 500,000 bottles of wine each year and the focus is on limited yields and producing premium, top quality wines.
Tement vineyards in South Styria, Austria and Stajerska, Slovenia - Source: Winekeller
Today Weingut Tement is one of the most well-known and respected winemakers and wine producers in Styria and Austria. Tement wines, especially Tement Sauvignon Blanc wines are known and respected in the wine world.
It is very much a family business, led by Manfred Tement and his sons, Armin and Stefan. Manfred was young when he took over the small winery after his father's much too early death over 40 years ago and he is passionate about his family, Styria, and his vision of Sauvignon Blanc.
In the wine location of Ehrenhausen, the soils are limestone - and in parts are 60 million years old - which give superb acidity to the wines, with freshness, saltiness, lemon, grapefruit and some spiciness. These lime-rich soils are great for growing Sauvignon Blanc, but also Chardonnay (Morillon). Sauvignon Blanc represents some 60% of Tement wines produced.
Organic wine - biodynamic wine
The vineyards are organically and biodynamically farmed and in the Tement winery, organic and biodynamic principles are followed, with nothing added to the wines except a little sulphite. Tement began taking the first steps toward organic farming more than 15 years ago and then transitioned over time to biodynamic farming.
It became a member of the Biodynamic Demeter Association in 2022 and today is the largest Demeter certified winery in Austria. Tement is also a member of the respekt-BIODYN Group.
The impressive Tement winery and cellars were built in 1999/2000, where the temperature and humidity is all naturally controlled.
The Tement vineyards
Weingut Tement is one of the twelve members of the Steierische Terroir & Klassikweingüter (STK) which have classified their best vineyards as ‘Premier Cru’ or ‘Grand Cru’ using the abbreviations ‘1-STK’ and ‘G-STK’. This classification is about defining and refining the region’s Sauvignon Blanc style and highlighting the exceptional terroir of an area.
The Tement vineyard sites are spread across multiple individual sites, with the most precious vineyards, classified as 1-STK and G-STK sites, located at high altitudes, facing southeast to southwest.
Some of the vineyards are in a slightly cooler climate, with more shade, but others are much warmer, which enables Tement to produce a range of very diverse wines, which emphasise differences and recognize the potential of a particular site.
Tement single vineyard wines
Tement single vineyard wines produce wines with character, expression and individuality, reflecting their special terroir. These are the Premier Cru (1-STK) and Grand Cru (G-STK) sites, where only the best grapes are selected and harvested - by hand.
Tement Zieregg
The flagship Tement vineyard is the iconic ‘Zieregg Grossse Lage’ (Grand Cru - G-STK) vineyard, which is made up of the main vineyard surrounded by other individual vineyard plots, all at an altitude of between 350 and 490 metres above sea level. Each of these historic plots has a unique terroir, producing very unique wines.
Slovenian wines
Weingut Tement’s vineyard in Slovenia is called Ciringa and the Sauvignon Blanc wines are produced under the Domaine Ciringa brand. The Ciringa vineyard is often referred to as the ‘little brother’ of the Zieregg vineyard.
In Slovenia, to differentiate it from Austrian Styria, the Styria region is called ‘Stajerska’, also known as Slovenian Styria (in German - Slowenische Steiermark) or Lower Styria (in German - Untersteiermark.
The region is known for its wines, with a rich wine history and the capital city Maribor is home to the oldest grapevine in the world (450 years old!). The wine varieties include Sauvignon Blanc, as well as Shipon and Laški Riesling.
Visiting Weingut Tement
We enjoyed an excellent tour and tasting at Weingut Tement and loved trying the varied range of Tement wines, especially the single vineyard wines which are very special.
You can visit Tement at any time during the advertised opening hours to taste the wines without booking, but you will need to book ahead if you wish to participate in a guided tour and tasting with a sommelier.
Other wineries close to Weingut Tement
Close to Weingut Tement, in the South Styria wine region of Ehrenhausen, you can visit three other winery members of the Steierische Terroir & Klassikweingüter (STK), combining them to make a wonderful wine tour of a couple of days. These wineries include Weingut Wolfgang Maitz, Weingut Gross and Weingut Polz.
Useful information for visiting South Styria - Südsteiermark - Austria
When to visit South Styria
The Spring, the Summer and the Autumn are all a great time to visit South Styria!
Where to stay
There are lots of accommodation options, in all sorts of categories, whether you prefer a small guesthouse, accommodation in a winery or a larger hotel - see here for details.
Weingut Tement accommodation
Weingut Tement offer a range of beautiful accommodation across four different sites, under the name ‘Winzarei’:
Six suites in the centre of the iconic Zieregg vineyard just 300 metres from the Tement winery;
Six apartments and two suites (with a swimming pool and spa) in the Ciringa vineyard ‘Ciringa Menhard’ across the border in Slovenia
Five mini-suites, two suites, two grand suites and a cottage in the Ciringa vineyard ‘Ciringa Stampfer’ - breathtaking panoramic views, heated infinity pool and spa area, adults only;
The old ‘press house’, just 3 kms from the Tement winery - ‘Ciringa Pec’ - sleeps two adults and one-two children, private pool and indoor sauna cabin.
LOISIUM Wine Hotel & Spa - Loisium Steiermark
We can also highly recommend the LOISIUM Wine Hotel & Spa in Ehrenhausen. With 104 rooms and suites, a spa club with an outdoor pool, an excellent restaurant and a wine shop the Loisium Steiermark offers a great base for a visit to South Styria and its vineyards and wineries.
The hotel is part of the group of 3 Loisium Hotels, with another in Kemptal, Austria and one in Champagne in France - a brand defined by ‘modern architecture, an authentic attitude to life, inspiring wine experiences, creative cuisine and relaxed idleness’.
Ratscher Landhaus
We can also recommend the Ratscher Landhaus hotel and restaurant, close to Weingut Tement on on the South Styria wine road, a wine and wellness hotel in the centre of the beautiful Ehrenhausen vineyards.
The South Styrian wine road
Enjoying exploring the beautiful South Styrian wine road - on the well known ‘Herzerlbank’ (heart bench)
The southern part of the Styrian wine region, on the border with Slovenia, is simply breathtaking. The landscapes, views and panoramas are stunning and there is no better way to explore and experience this wonderful region than following the South Styrian wine road - or the ‘Südsteierische Weinstrasse’!
Weingut Tement is located on the South Styrian wine road.
This beautiful wine trail runs for 25kms through beautiful rolling hills, charming villages and steep vineyards between the small towns of Ehrenhausen and Leutschach, via Gamlitz.
By driving or cycling the wine route you can enjoy and experience the best of the Styria wine region and there are lots of panoramic viewing points where you can rest and savour the spectacular vistas. Stop and take time to enjoy some of the excellent walking and hiking trails on the South Styria wine road. There are lots of different paths, all well marked and there to be enjoyed and to show you the best of the region. Note that the trails take you through the vineyards, which can in places be quite steep!
Experience the local food close to Weingut Tement
A Buschenschank is basically a wine tavern where you can enjoy the wines made by the owner/winery along with some local food. There are more than a 100 of these on the South Styria wine road!
Here you can enjoy a traditional ‘Brettljause’ with a refreshing glass of wine This snack is mostly in the form of cold dishes including cold cuts - roast pork, smoked meats, ham, cold sausage meat, various different local cheeses, homemade breads with flavoured butters, liver sausage spread and pumpkin seed spread and different salads.
We can highly recommend visiting the Buschenschanks near Weingut Tement at Weingut Polz, Weingut Kögl, Firmenich Steinberghof and the Musterstubn in Graßnitzberg.
Die Weinbank is an institution in Ehrenhausen, with the renowned culinary partnership, Gerhard Fuchs (chef) and Christian Zach (sommelier) offering fabulous local, Styrian dishes in the Michelin star, fine-dining restaurant and the more casual inn. There is also an amazing wine shop.
Magnothek at Zieregg is a fabulous restaurant and wine bar, close to the Tement winery and the lovely Carmelite Chapel (Karmeliterchapel) in the Zieregg vineyard.
Exploring Slovenia
If you fancy combining an Austrian wine tour with a Slovenian wine tour we suggest exploring South Styria and then crossing into the beautiful Stajerska wine region in Slovenia. Stajerska is known for its wines, its hospitality, its openness and relaxation and wellness and it inspires with its rich history and diverse culture.
Head to Maribor, the capital city and also the European Best Green Capital 2025 and Best European Culinary Destination in 2023. Also visit Ptuj - the oldest town in Slovenia - and the historic Ptuj Cellar, home to the oldest Slovenian wine, the Golden Vine.
Stajerska is known for its diverse selection of traditional sweet treats such as cooked dumplings, apple strudel, gibanica, walnut potica and fruit bread.
Beautiful Maribor, Stajerska, Finland - Source: RRA Podravje, Stajerska
See here for more about visiting Stajerska Slovenia.
For all other information and inspiration about visiting beautiful South Styria visit the official Steirmark website.
Conclusion
Weingut Tement is an institution in South Stryria and its location on the Austria/Slovenia border is simply stunning. You can spend a wonderful few days here enjoying the scenery, the wines, the food and the hospitality. We found it heartwarming here - it’s so relaxing, natural and unspoiled - we urge you to visit!
