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That Was VieVinum 2026 – A Return to Optimism

Starting during the run-up to the event, VieVinum placed its rubric ‘The Power of Wine’ centre-stage, calling upon attendees to reflect on the positive aspects of wine. Involving some 15,000 visitors and 550 exhibitors, Austria’s international wine fair once more demonstrated its immense drawing power; furthermore, through an extensive programme of master classes, VieVinum explored a multitude of diverse approaches to wine – ranging from the strictly technical to the controversial, and even the humorous.

With a mood barometer pointing clearly upward and a restructuring of the wine market now firmly taking shape, three days of VieVinum served to underscore a key reality: a high degree of individuality in wine styles and origins has become just as much a matter of course as is the openness to innovation. At the same time, the simple enjoyment of wine – along with its social dimension – is once again moving to the forefront. Indeed, for many trade visitors, personal interaction with winegrowers and colleagues – alongside tasting wines and tracking current market trends – was one of the primary motivations for attending the trade fair.

An Imperial Stage

During the opening ceremony, Dr. Johannes Abentung, Secretary General of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry, highlighted the character of wine as a unique, inimitable natural product and underscored its cultural, social and economic significance. In his welcoming address, Austrian Winegrowers’ Association President Johannes Schmuckenschlager drew attention to the honoured status of wine in Austria, with the HOFBURG Palace in Vienna providing an imperial stage – a setting that arguably makes this the loveliest wine fair in the world. Furthermore, the excellent collaboration between teams from the trade fair organizer, M.A.C. Hoffmann, and the Austrian Wine Marketing Board (ÖWM) was acknowledged as instrumental to the success of VieVinum. Approximately one thousand international merchants, restaurateurs, sommeliers and journalists attended VieVinum at the invitation of the ÖWM.

Guest Country Georgia

Wineries from numerous countries around the globe also presented their bottles for tasting at VieVinum, with Georgia standing out prominently as the official guest country. In his welcoming speech, His Excellency Alexander Maisuradze, Ambassador of Georgia, emphasized the role of wine in shaping national identity within his country – a land regarded as the ‘cradle of wine’ for its great and ancient tradition: 8,000 years of viticulture.

Controversies and the Power of Sport

The programme offered by the School of Wine provided fitting insight into the new diversity regarding approaches to wine. The spectrum of topics ranged from detailed technical subjects and monumental anniversary tastings to controversial discussions on wine styles and viticultural perspectives – and even extended to entertaining and satirical presentations round about wine. For one example, football (soccer) legend Herbert Prohaska, along with sports commentator Rainer Pariasek and Annemarie Foidl, President of the Sommelier Union Austria, took the stage as a panel of commentators for an international match between Niederösterreich and Italy. An analogy to football was also drawn by the now-traditional Riesling ‘International’ between Austria and Germany – complete with a tongue-in-cheek dream of repeating the legendary 1978 World Cup ‘Cordoba’ victory. Under the leadership of captains Walter Kutscher (Vienna Sommelier Association, representing Austria) and Harald Scholl (Editor-in-Chief of VINUM Germany), two national oenological teams faced off on the theme of ‘Riesling 2022.’ After the first half, Germany appeared to be on the path to victory, only for Austria to narrowly clinch the win.

A Commitment to Youth

Since 2022, the Gerd A. Hoffmann Academy – a cross-mentoring programme for young winegrowers – has formed an integral feature of VieVinum’s youth development initiatives. In 2026, 13 young talents from the Austrian viticultural community qualified for the programme, where they were paired with prominent figures from the worlds of business and society to serve as their mentors. For the first time, mentees were supported by graduates from previous cohorts acting as ‘buddies’, while they gained additional opportunities to showcase both themselves and their wines through networking partnerships with various hospitality industry establishments serving as ‘home bases’.

New Tasting Zone & Zone Zero

Complementing the School of Wine, VieVinum offered numerous special programmes, such as the Tasting Zone located in the so-called ‘Orchestergang.’ Here, the Sommelier Union Austria guided visitors through a tasting circuit highlighting personal taste preferences; Wein Steiermark presented wines awarded the ‘Best of Sauvignon Blanc’ distinction – including a guided tasting led by VINUM Editor-in-Chief Harald Scholl – and Wein Burgenland presented twelve young winegrowers from its new youth initiative under the banner ‘Junges Burgenland – Next Generation.’

Going Bold in Zone Zero

The major trend ‘Alcohol-Free Alternatives’ was also given a prominent stage, where some 80 no-alcohol products were available for tasting. Furthermore, a series of high-calibre talks and discussions – covering production, sustainability, and economic viability – highlighted the dynamic nature of this beverage category. This presentation culminated in the awarding of the Austrian Zero Award 2026 tasted by Del Fabro Kolarik & Partner.

VieVinum Special Offer: Stölzle Glasses and Wine Fridges

STÖLZLE-LAUSITZ glasses from the ‘Experience’ series – having been used just once – are available for purchase at a special price of €15 per box (containing 6 glasses) and can be ordered via office@mac-hoffmann.com. As an additional special offer, glasses from the FINO series are also available in boxes of six for €39.00. For more information, visit: vievinum.at/glaeser-abverkauf.Additionally, high-quality wine cooling units in various sizes are available for purchase at attractive prices. For further information, please call +43 2262 625 46 or email info@oewi.at.

Quotes from Exhibitors & Visitors

Hans Bergmann, Head of SPAR Wine Category Management & INTERSPAR Wine Expert
‘The atmosphere was exceptionally positive, characterized by lively exchanges and encounters that – at their very best – give rise to partnerships rooted in friendship. VieVinum – the loveliest wine fair in the world – offered all of this and much more.’

Waltraud Scharnagl, SPAR Wine Category Manager & INTERSPAR Wine Expert
‘I experienced VieVinum as a grand family reunion, featuring an expansive audience of young people who were deeply interested in wine.’

Christiane Mösl, Managing Director, ARGE Heumilch
‘For us, VieVinum serves as an excellent platform for engaging with an audience that appreciates fine food and drink – people who are genuinely interested in the story behind our hay-milk products.’

Lisa Masser, Weingut Masser
‘We enjoyed memorable interactions with both trade professionals and private visitors, as well as with many of our industry colleagues. It was also particularly gratifying to have an importer from the USA express such enthusiasm for our wines, strongly encouraging us to persist with our efforts in that market.

Helga Schröder, MS and Brand Ambassador, Weingut Bernhard Ott
‘An extremely high-calibre trade fair with a high quality-standard among visitors; we were kept fully busy throughout all three days.’

Paul Schabl, Weingut Schabl
‘A wonderful venue for meeting both existing and new customers. We had a terrific audience.’

Irene Wurm, Weingut Geschwister Wurm
‘This was our second time here. It was wonderful to see that the trade audience was specifically seeking out wines from the Bergland region.’

Peter Lamprecht, L. Derksen & Co.
‘We are very satisfied. The audience quickly realised that we had brought along only the top bottles from our portfolio – something that subsequently spread by word of mouth.’

Christopher Gampe, Head of KASTNER AllesWein
‘Great organisation; everything was well-structured, and there were no long wait times at the booths. The winegrowers were all in high spirits – and it showed. A fantastic trade fair for a discerning audience.’

Hannes Tschida, Restaurateur ‘Zum fröhlichen Arbeiter’
‘A very pleasant tasting environment and a ripping-good selection – including the ‘zero-alcohol’ products.’

Franz Dafner, Restaurateur, Gasthof Dafner
‘Excellent organisation. All the relevant Austrian wine estates were represented here.’

Aleksandre Gogiashvilli, Wine Alphabet, Georgia
‘We received extremely valuable feedback from both the trade audience and fellow winegrowers; many visitors were already very knowledgeable about wines from Georgia.’

Claudia Geyer, Chief Technology Officer, Solos
‘A terrific platform to showcase our technology and demonstrate that we can capture and convey the unique signature of a winegrower.’

Wolfgang Loitsch, Beyond Veltliner Wines
‘A wonderful event. The way Austria presents itself here is truly unique on a global scale. The master classes as well were superbly organized!’

Klaus Postmann, Senior Category Manager, Wine, Sekt & Spirits; Co-organizer, Zone Zero
‘Interest was immense – particularly among young people and international guests. We observed that the active involvement of young winegrowers inspired the younger audience to experiment. It was especially exciting that our master classes allowed us to cover the entire spectrum of topics, ranging from production right through to marketing.’

Matthias Reckendorfer, Weingut Reckendorfer
‘For me, this was the best VieVinum yet. Though I did put in some effort to make it so!’

Gerhard Retter, star sommelier, Germany
‘As always, everything was organized to perfection. The sheer diversity of wines gathered here brings together such a wide array of styles. What truly matters is the dialogue between people – and the shared joy of wine.’

Herbert Zillinger, Weingut Herbert Zillinger
‘The atmosphere was superb – I found it to be almost euphoric, a stark contrast to the mood currently prevailing in the wider market. Many restaurateurs, too, remarked on how much they appreciated the fantastic atmosphere at VieVinum.’

Vienna’s Hofburg Palace will once again host VieVinum, 13–15 May 2028 

Related Files

VieVinum – From your arrival to the evening programme

Tips for planning, time for spontaneity

When VieVinum 2026 kicks off this coming Saturday, 16 May, attendees will find some 550 exhibitors and a wealth of side events waiting for them. To taste as much as possible, participate in the most exciting master classes and make the most of the evening programme, it’s helpful to think about your personal priorities beforehand.

Good preparation and a clear idea of your programme preferences are the key to a fruitful visit to VieVinum. The exhibitor directory provides the most efficient basis for this. It’s helpful to sort the exhibitors by criteria such as ‘taste in depth’ versus ‘handshake & hello’, but don’t forget ‘potential important discovery’. The situation is similar with the School of Wine’s master classes, where personal interest may favour a specific origin, a specialised topic or the panellists themselves. Stefan Klettner, head sommelier at the Griggler Stub in the Burg Vital Resort in Oberlech and reigning ‘Best Sommelier in Austria’, advises leaving room for spontaneity. For those who have had little time to prepare, he recommends simply taking a walk around using the VieVinum floor plan and noting down (or photographing) the booths where you would like to taste. Otherwise, his tip is: get enough sleep, have a good breakfast and be curious.

Where to go after VieVinum?

Wine and fine dining go hand in hand. That’s why we’ve also connected our young winegrowers from this year’s Gerd A. Hoffmann Academy cross-mentoring programme with selected restaurants, taverns and wine bars in Vienna, which will be showcasing their wines, especially during the run-up to VieVinum, thus serving as their gastronomic home base. It’s well worth a visit even now, and we recommend booking a table for the period during the fair. And, of course, our mentees all look forward to welcoming lots of visitors to their tables at VieVinum. 

Take a look:

Die Wachauerin, 1090 Wien, diewachauerin.at
Gastronomische Homebase von: Bioweingut Bergkirchner, Martin Bergkirchner

Heunisch und Erben, 1030 Wien, heunisch.at
Gastronomische Homebase von: Weinberghof Fritsch, Alexander Fritsch

kostbar, 1060 Wien, instagram.com/die_kostbar
Gastronomische Homebase von: Weinhof Leitner, Stefanie Leitner

Meixners, 1100 Wien, meixners-gastwirtschaft.at
Gastronomische Homebase von: Weingut Gerhard Deim, Gerhard Deim

MAST, 1090 Wien, mast.wine
Gastronomische Homebase von: Weingut Katharina Gessl, Katharina Gessl

Pichlmaiers zum Herkner, 1170 Wien, zumherkner.at
Gastronomische Homebase von: Weingut Masser, Florian Masser

Pub Klemo, 1050 Wien, pubklemo.com
Gastronomische Homebase von: Weingut Krutzler, Deutsch Schützen, Clemens Krutzler

Reznicek, 1090 Wien, reznicek.co.at
Gastronomische Homebase von: Weingut Lex Langmann, Verena Langmann

Sophie7, 1070 Wien, sophie7.at
Gastronomische Homebase von: Weingut Pröll, Maximilian Pröll

Stellas, 1030 Wien, stellas.at
Gastronomische Homebase von: Weingut Eichberger, Marcus Eichberger

Stern, 1110 Wien, gasthausstern.at
Gastronomische Homebase von: Weingut Skringer, Lena Skringer

Zum Bretschneider, 1120 Wien, zumbretschneider.at
Gastronomische Homebase von: Weingut Schmid, Verena Schmid 

Zum Fuhrmann, 1080 Wien, restaurantfuhrmann.com
Gastronomische Homebase von: Wieninger.next, Sophie, Katharina & Maximilian Wieninger

You’ll also find other Wein-Hotspots in Vienna here.

Wine at Night

Might you want to discover even more wines, winegrowers and oenophiles after your day at the trade fair, or get to know some of them better? The after-show events provide the perfect opportunity, with Austrian growers inviting guests to exciting happenings ranging from rooftop parties with views across Vienna to cosy get-togethers, big-bottle bashes and great music. Click here for an overview.

And to take a break…

Depending on how one feels, it’s always a good idea to take the occasional short break – a sip of water in the Römerquelle Hydration Lounge (Vorsaal/1st floor), a slice of bread from Anker (Foyer/Entrance Hall), or a breath of fresh air outside the HOFBURG palace. Whether you’re feeling like having a light nibble or are totally ravenous, you can grab a quick feed from the food trucks outside the HOFBURG. If you’d rather not leave the palace, you’ll also find a fine selection of refreshments indoors.

Get a discounted ticket with the WESTbahn

Want to travel in comfort and secure a discounted ticket for VieVinum at the same time? It’s as simple as this: Anyone travelling to Vienna on the WESTbahn between Friday 15 May and Monday 18 May 2026 and handing in their validated ticket at the VieVinum ticket counter will receive a discounted 1-day ticket (valid from 13.00) to VieVinum for just €65 (instead of €75). The same applies if you purchase a WESTbahn ticket – and thus a VieVinum promotional code – between 18 April and 18 May 2026. 

Marking A Milestone Ahead of the VieVinum Countdown – The Concluding Presentation at the Gerd A. Hoffmann Academy

Mentees & mentors reflect on their work together…

Sharing knowledge and benefiting from a mutually rewarding exchange: since the beginning of the year, 13 young winegrowers have been engaged in a programme bringing them together with experienced figures from the varied worlds of business and society – part of the third instalment of the Gerd A. Hoffmann Academy. Shortly before VieVinum, the young growers and their mentors presented a report on their collaborative experiences.

Networking with the Hospitality Sector 

The topics of greatest interest to the winegrowers ranged from internationalization and digitalization to marketing and target audiences, as well as expanding their own professional networks. The team at M.A.C. Hoffmann supported the pairs throughout their collaboration and introduced them via profiles shared on their digital channels. 

In addition, the mentees had the opportunity to attend lectures on topics such as brand management (KR8 Bureau) and e-commerce (SRG Group – Digital & Software Agency). Another new feature this year involved graduates from previous years serving as ‘buddies,’ to offer advice and guidance to the young folk. The budding winegrowers received further practical insights through collaborations with restaurants, traditional taverns and wine bars in Vienna, each of which served as the hospitality industry home base for one of the mentees. Leading up to VieVinum, the young growers’ wines are being featured prominently at these venues – offered by the glass or showcased in special promotions such as wine-pairing menus and events.

The summaries of the mentees and mentors

Shortly before VieVinum, the young winegrowers – together with their mentors – shared an account of their collaborative experiences. Of particular delight and value to all the mentees was the commitment shown by several mentors toward the entire group. For instance, INTERSPAR Weinwelt offered to list a wine from every single mentee. From Stefanie Wareka, Head of Marketing at Marzek Etiketten+Packaging GmbH, they received vouchers for a consultation session with the company’s in-house design agency, each valued at €320. Following VieVinum, Stölzle Lausitz will host a VIP party where all the mentees can present their wines, served by a top-shelf team of young sommeliers. And from Sandor Döry, they received an invitation to continue attending the lectures organized by the E-Commerce Initiative Austria over the coming months.

The mentees’ reports frequently highlighted the expansion of their professional networks, tips for their online presence, the value of the feedback they received and opportunities to showcase their wines. 

Martin Bergkirchner & Peter Aufreiter, Mag.

Martin Bergkirchner from Mitterarnsdorf in the Wachau had the pleasure of having Peter Aufreiter, Mag. – Director General of the Vienna Technical Museum and the Austrian Mediathek – serve as his mentor. ‘I was able to present my wines at a high-profile event at the Technical Museum and establish valuable contacts there. Further joint events are a possibility, and my mentor will also be visiting me during the Wachauer Weinfrühling festival. My home base is the wine bar ‘Die Wachauerin,’ which will also be open during VieVinum.’

Weingut Gerhard Deim & Josef Pröll, DI

‘I’ve brought along some wine from Deim,’ announced Josef Pröll, DI – CEO of Leipnik-Lundenburger Invest Beteiligungs AG – as he opened the joint presentation with his protégé, Gerhard Deim from Schönberg am Kamp. Deim reports having enjoyed a lively exchange with his mentor; furthermore, he had the opportunity to present his wines at a football match held at the VIP Club. Additionally, a visit to a large milling operation is on the agenda – an outing that will provide insights into the operational processes of a major concern. He maintains excellent relations with his home base, the Wirtshaus Meixner, where a ‘Wine & Dine’ event with his mentor is also currently being planned.

Markus Eichberger & Stefanie Wareka 

‘We are probably the youngest duo in this group,’ Stefanie Wareka – Head of Marketing at Marzek Etiketten+Packaging GmbH – remarked with a wink as she opened their joint presentation. Her mentee, Markus Eichberger from Eibesbrunn, continued: ‘We visited each other at our respective businesses. I gained valuable insight into the workings of Marzek Etiketten, and at Blaha Büromöbel I was able to attend an event focused on business acquisitions – that was especially interesting.’ At his hospitality home base – Restaurant Stellas in Vienna’s 3rd District – his wines and non-alcoholic beverages will be available to enjoy by the glass leading up to VieVinum.

Alexander Fritsch & Stefan Schauer 

Alexander Fritsch from Kirchberg am Wagram was paired with Stefan Schauer, Managing Director of STAUD’S. ‘I visited my mentor at his business in Vienna and took away a great deal regarding their organizational structures and technology. We are going to launch a joint project titled ‘Fritsch & Schauer Biodynamic’ and intend to stay in touch.’ Herr Schauer tells us: ‘I have enjoyed a long-standing friendship with Weingut Fritsch, and I was absolutely delighted to be paired with my mentee. I take my hat off to him for possessing such detailed knowledge at such a young age.’ Alexander Fritsch’s home base is Heunisch & Erben; he has already reserved his table there for the duration of the VieVinum trade fair.

Katharina Gessl & Christine Klimaschka 

Katharina Gessl from Zellerndorf formed a duo with Christine Klimaschka, Co-editor and Head of Communications & Partnerships at myGiulia. ‘We met several times and shared a lively, vibrant exchange of ideas. I also had the opportunity to present my wines at the ‘Rise! Women’s Voice of Change’ event at the opera house – a pretty cool experience,’ she says, offering an enthusiastic summary. Her home base is the wine bar MAST, where her wines are served by the glass and featured in tasting sessions.

Clemens Krutzler & Hans Bergmann 

‘Initially, we had a long-distance relationship because I was still doing an internship in South Africa,’ reports Clemens Krutzler from Deutsch Schützen, recalling the start of his collaboration with his mentor, Hans Bergmann – Head of Wine Portfolio Management at SPAR and INTERSPAR wine expert. During the mentor’s visit to the Krutzler estate, the philosophy of the family business was analysed, among other topics, and a presentation for the ‘INTERSPAR weinwelt Winzertalk’ series was planned. At Pub Klemo – his home base – Clemens Krutzler’s wines will take centre stage leading up to the VieVinum trade fair.

Verena Langmann & Waltraud Scharnagl 

Verena Langmann from Stainz had Waltraud Scharnagl – SPAR Portfolio Manager and INTERSPAR wine expert – by her side as a mentor. ‘I had an intense exchange with my mentor; thanks to her, I gained a wealth of experience and knowledge and established exciting new contacts.’ And her mentor comments, ‘For me, Verena Langmann was a stroke of luck. I admire the way she pursues her chosen path with such determination, never letting herself get distracted.’ Furthermore, an appearance on INTERSPAR weinwelt Winzertalk is currently being planned. Verena Langmann’s gastronomic home is the restaurant Reznicek, where a collaboration is also being arranged.

Stefanie Leitner & Prof. Christoph Madl 

Stefanie Leitner from Ilztal formed a pairing with Prof. Christoph Madl – a tourism professional and court-appointed expert witness. ‘My mentor pulled me out of my bubble and helped me reflect on the visibility and public perception of our wine estate. He provided me with feedback time and again, which truly helped me move forward,’ she enthuses. Her home base is the wine bar ‘kostbar,’ located near the Naschmarkt in Vienna (1060), which specializes in wines and culinary delights from the Südsteiermark.

Florian Masser & Wolfgang Reichl 

Florian Masser from Glanz an der Weinstrasse was paired with Wolfgang Reichl, Managing Director of Reichl & Reichl GmbH. ‘My mentor lined me up for numerous events; the second half of the year is practically fully booked already. We also spoke on the phone frequently between meetings.’ As his home base, he has the pleasure of working with Pichlmaiers zum Herkner, where his wines are presented with great enthusiasm. He has already reserved his table there for the upcoming trade fair.

Maximilian Pröll & Brad Knowles 

‘I really lucked out with my mentor,’ says Maximilian Pröll, expressing his delight at the collaboration with Brad Knowles – Vice President of the Burgenland Sommelier Association and Brand Ambassador & Head of Sales for Austria at Stölzle Lausitz. ‘He has a massive network and gave me many opportunities to showcase myself and my wines. It was a cool experience.’ His home base is the restaurant Sophie7, which is on the verge of opening its doors and is already whetting appetites in its current pop-up mode.

Verena Schmid & Dr. Gabriele Straka 

Verena Schmid, coming from Gobelsburg near Langenlois, was paired with Dr. Gabriele Maria Straka – a certified Beer Sommelier, Editor-in-Chief of MANZ’s NIU: Sustainability in Business, and Board Member at RespACT. ‘I am grateful to have been assigned a mentor with such extensive professional experience. I gained a great deal from her insights and stories, and I even had the opportunity to present my wines at an event attended by a very discerning group of business professionals.’ I also struck gold with my home base – the tavern Zum Bretschneider – where my wines have been extremely well received.

Lena Skringer & Attila Janos, Ing. Mag.

‘We met frequently, both in person and online. I was able to ask him every question I had on my mind; it was fantastic to have such a seasoned professional as my mentor,’ enthuses Lena Skringer from Leutschach, reflecting on her collaboration with her mentor Attila Janos, Ing. Mag.,  – Founder and Proprietor of supseven TYPO3 web agency. ‘He helped me overhaul and improve my website – tasks like that often tend to fall by the wayside amidst the hustle and bustle of daily business.’ And her mentor comments, with evident satisfaction, ‘We established a clear roadmap, and Lena worked on it with real diligence.’ Lena Skringer’s home base is the Gasthaus Stern, located in Vienna’s 11th District.

Sophie, Katharina & Max Wieninger, with Sandor Döry 

The three siblings – Sophie, Katharina, and Max Wieninger from Vienna – founded their own winery, ‘Wieninger.Next.’ They were paired with Sandor Döry – Founder and Chairman of the E-Commerce Initiative Austria, as well as CEO of SRG IT & Marketing GmbH – to serve as their mentor. ‘Our mentor devised an intensive program for us; he offered tips on optimizing our self-designed website and integrated us into his E-Commerce Initiative, where we were also able to showcase our wines. We also learned a great deal about branding.’ Their gastronomic home base is the restaurant Zum Fuhrmann, located in Vienna’s 8th District.

All mentees with their mentors, buddys and hospitality industry home base:

Bioweingut Bergkirchner
Martin Bergkirchner & Mag. Peter Aufreiter, Director General of the Vienna Museum of Science and Technology with the Austrian Media Library
Buddy: Johannes Hofbauer-Schmidt, Weingut Hofbauer-Schmidt
Homebase: Die Wachauerin, 1090 Wien, diewachauerin.at

Weingut Gerhard Deim
Gerhard Deim & Josef Pröll, CEO of Leipnik-Lundenburger Invest Beteiligungs AG (LLI)
Buddy: Gregor Nimmervoll, Weingut Nimmervoll
Homebase: Meixners, 1100 Wien, meixners-gastwirtschaft.at

Weingut Eichberger
Marcus Eichberger & Stefanie Wareka, Head of Marketing at Marzek Etiketten + Packaging GmbH
Buddy: Julia Kroiss, Weingut Kroiss
Gastronomische Homebase: Stellas, 1030 Wien, stellas.at

Weinberghof Fritsch
Alexander Fritsch & Stefan Schauer, Managing Director of STAUD’S GmbH
Buddy: Benita Lobner, Weingut Lobner
Gastronomische Homebase: Heunisch und Erben, 1030 Wien, heunisch.at

Weingut Katharina Gessl
Katharina Gessl & Christine Klimaschka, Co-Publisher, Communications & Partnerships at myGiulia
Buddy: Johann  Gisperg, Weingut Gisperg
Homebase: MAST, 1090 Wien, mast.wine

Weingut Krutzler, Deutsch Schützen
Clemens Krutzler & Hans Bergmann, Wine Department Head at SPAR and INTERSPAR, Wine Expert
Buddy: Katharina Baumgartner, Domäne Baumgartner
Homebase: Pub Klemo, 1050 Wien, pubklemo.com

Weingut Lex Langmann
Verena Langmann & Waltraud Scharnagl, Wine Category Manager at SPAR and INTERSPAR Wine Expert
Buddy: Simon Gattinger
Homebase: Reznicek, 1090 Wien, reznicek.co.at

Weinhof Leitner
Stefanie Leitner & Prof. Christoph Madl, Tourism Business Specialist and Court-Certified Expert
Buddy: Paul Zimmermann
Homebase: kostbar, 1060 Wien, instagram.com/die_kostbar

Weingut Masser
Florian Masser & Wolfgang Reichl, Managing Director of Reichl & Reichl GmbH, Organiser of the Haute Couture Austria Award
Buddy: Alexander Paul
Homebase: Pichlmaiers zum Herkner, 1170 Wien, zumherkner.at

Weingut Pröll
Maximilian Pröll & Brad Knowles, Certified Sommelier, Vice President of the Burgenland Sommelier Association, Brand Ambassador & Sales Austria, Stölzle Lausitz
Buddy: Julia Eichberger, Weingut Eichberger
Homebase: Sophie7, 1070 Wien, sophie7.at

Weingut Schmid
Verena Schmid & Dr. Gabriela Maria Straka, Certified Beer Sommelier, Editor-in-Chief at MANZ “NIU Sustainability in Business”; Board Member of RespACT
Buddy: Florian Adam-Lieleg
Homebase: Zum Bretschneider, 1120 Wien, zumbretschneider.at

Weingut Skringer
Lena Skringer & Attila Janos, Founder & Owner of supseven TYPO3 Web Agency 
Buddy: Gabriel Graßl, Weingut Nepomukhof
Homebase: Stern, 1110 Wien, gasthausstern.at 

Weingut Wieninger, Hajszan Neumann, Wieninger.next 
Sophie, Katharina & Maximilian Wieninger & Sandor Döry, Founder/Chairman, E-Commerce Initiative Austria; CEO, SRG IT & Marketing GmbH
Buddy: Matthias Reckendorfer
Gastronomische Homebase: Zum Fuhrmann, 1080 Wien, restaurantfuhrmann.com

Related Files

A Preview of the Exhibitors at VieVinum 2026

Arrive in Vienna well-prepared for your VieVinum experience: To gain a comprehensive overview of the exhibitors and the layout at Vienna’s HOFBURG Palace, the best approach is to consult the online exhibitor directory. It is also advisable to secure your ticket in plenty of time.

VieVinum serves as Austria’s premier wine showcase; accordingly, the majority of its some 550 exhibition booths are reserved for domestic producers. Niederösterreich constitutes the largest group of exhibitors, followed by the wine estates of Burgenland, the Steiermark and Wien/(Vienna). Winegrower associations from Kärnten and Oberösterreich – representing the region Bergland – will also be on hand once again at the HOFBURG, each featuring a concise presentation.

A Sparkling Welcome 

A literally effervescent welcome awaits visitors to VieVinum 2026 right in the foyer, where Sekt Austria will present a broad spectrum of sparklers spanning its three distinct categories. And just nearby, visitors will enjoy the bottlings of Schlumberger and Kattus – two of the great traditional houses devoted to the sparkling genre, complemented by the booth of Weinhaus Döllerer.

Which Way to Go: Right or Left? 

If you turn right in the foyer, you will enter the Gartensaal, where you will find the Junge Wilde Winzer (Young Wild Winegrowers) group, as well as producers from the region Traisental. To the left in the foyer, you will enter the Seitenhalle to meet growers from the Thermenregion. Continuing onward, you will be welcomed by wine estates from the Kremstal (in the Prinz Eugen Saal), followed by those from Carnuntum and Wagram (Gardehalle I & II) and the Kamptal (Forum), including winegrowers belonging to the Österreichische Traditionsweingüter pouring in their respective regions.

The Platzl Hub 

Spirits and diverse fine distillates await visitors on the Feststiege (Grand Staircase), featuring Farthofer, Gölles, Reisetbauer and Pfau – where the merchant house Morandell, the Weinakademie Österreich and the Sommelier Union Austria will also be presenting their selections. Continuing up the staircase, one reaches the Platzl, with the opportunity to taste wines from the Wachau region next door in the Metternichsaal, or in the Vorsaal wines from Wien (including the Traditionsweingüter), as well as wines from Demeter-certified estates and toa – tastes of Austria & partners. And to stay refreshed, a visit to the Römerquelle Hydration Lounge is highly recommended. 
From the Platzl, one can also access the Seitengalerie and the Hofburg Galerie, where winegrowers from the region Weinviertel offer highlights not to be missed. To the left, in the Festsaal, Burgenland proudly hoists its vinophile flag, while from the Hofburg Lounge to the right, the enticing call of the ‘United Nations of Blaufränkisch’ rings out – showing wines from Serbia, Hungary, Slovenia and Romania. If you stay on a straight course through the Seitengalerie , you will arrive in the Zeremoniensaal, home to the wineries of the Steiermark. Also to be found here are representatives from the two Bergland wine regions: Kärnten and Oberösterreich.

Our Guest Country & Zone Zero 

Through the Hofburg Lounge (located immediately to the right upon entering the Seitengalerie) and passing through the Trabantenstube, you enter the Rittersaal, where producers from our guest country Georgia will present their wines. Continuing straight ahead into the Antekammer, you will find the wines of Portugal, France, Moldova and Greece (our 2024 guest country), as well as selections from the portfolio of the merchant house Derksen. If you continue your tour straight ahead, the path leads into the Marmorsaal, featuring exhibitors from Germany and Italy. Those seeking Zone Zero – promoting greater daring regarding alcohol-free alternatives through its programme of panel discussions – will find it one room over, in the Geheime Ratstube.

Falstaff and New Sounds from the Orchestergang 

On the way back, there’s the Wintergarten – traditional home of the Falstaff Lounge. Right next door, the Orchestergang will host a varied programme throughout the three days of VieVinum. The lineup begins with a journey of discovery through the world of flavour, hosted by the Sommelier Union Austria (Saturday 16 May); continues with Wein Steiermark (Sunday 17 May) and an expansive ‘Best of Sauvignon Blanc’ tasting zone; and concludes with Wein Burgenland presenting ‘Young Burgenland – the Next Generation’ (Monday 18 May).

Where is the School of Wine? 

For the knowledge-seekers among VieVinum visitors, it pays to locate the three School of Wine venues in advance: the Schatzkammersaal – accessible via Gardehalle II – as well as, on the first floor, the Burgraum (accessible via the staircase directly in the Hofburg entranceway) and the Künstlerzimmer (accessible via the Antekammer). Good preparation pays off! To head straight to your desired producers without getting detoured, be sure to take a look at the online exhibitor directory.

The Commitment of the Austrian Wine Marketing Board 

From the very beginning, the Austrian Wine Marketing Board (ÖWM) has been VieVinum’s most important partner. Its objective is to attract trade visitors – members of the retail sector, press, hospitality and sommelier communities – to VieVinum, thereby enabling Austrian winegrowers to cultivate existing business relationships and forge new ones. Consequently, the ÖWM is once again inviting 1,000 international wine professionals from 52 countries to Vienna this year. 

Marketing Board CEO Chris Yorke tells us: ‘VieVinum is the largest and most important trade fair for Austrian wine – and so is highly regarded among our international contacts; for despite consumer restraint and economic turbulence, Austrian wine remains in high demand. This is because, in many respects, it truly captures the spirit of the times: Austrian wine is consistently high in quality, produced artisanally by environmentally conscious growers and embodies the very sense of lightness that consumers worldwide are currently seeking.’

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Going Bold in Zone Zero, and Special Focus Tastings

Finally discover why one prefers certain wines over others, explore new non-alcoholic beverages, and experience exclusive tastings of wines from the Steiermark and from Burgenland’s next generation – all part of the upcoming VieVinum trade fair, from 16–18 May 2026 at Vienna’s HOFBURG Palace.

Renowned winegrowers and wine merchants from Austria and many far-flung parts of the world have once again signed up as exhibitors; the traditional wine-producing country of Georgia is preparing for its appearance as guest nation with a delegation of some 25 growers, while at the School of Wine, VieVinum visitors can look forward to a widely diversified range of master classes. Other highlights include Zone Zero in the Geheime Ratstube, featuring around 80 non-alcoholic products and a wealth of inspiring and thought-provoking talks and discussions. Those who wish to focus on a specific tasting theme can head to the Orchestergang, where special programmes will be offered on all three days of VieVinum.

Orchestergang: The Personal Touch

Discover which types of wine appeal to you most – and learn why: The Austrian Sommelier Union, led by President Annemarie Foidl, will guide attendees on a tasting journey exploring the myriad flavours of wine on Saturday, the first day of VieVinum. Through addressing specific questions, you’ll discover whether you’re more of a ‘Fruit,’ ‘Sweet,’ ‘Aged,’ or ‘Tannin’ type of taster. Experienced sommeliers will help you find your own wine identity and offer recommendations for potential pairings that suit your palate.

On Sunday 17 May, Wein Steiermark invites you to the expansive ‘Best of Sauvignon Blanc’ tasting area. Selected award-winning Styrian wines from the Vinum magazine awards and the Sauvignon Selection by CMB will be served for tasting. Those who wish to do so under expert guidance will have the opportunity both in the morning and in the afternoon, when Vinum Editor-in-Chief Harald Scholl will be on the job to present some of his personal favourites.

‘Young Burgenland – The Next Generation’ is the theme for Monday 18 May. This event will feature a statement from the coming generation of those twelve Burgenland winegrowers who are part of the new youth initiative supported by Wein Burgenland.

Just stop by – on any of the three days of VieVinum!

Geheime Ratstube: Zone Zero for Those Who Dare

The sizzling current trend of ‘non-alcoholic alternatives’ takes centre stage in the room whose name translates as Privy Council Chamber. Products from 35 producers and merchants will be showcased here through table displays and a staffed tasting bar, highlighting the diversity of beverages in this category. On Saturday 16 May at 13.00, the Double Gold winners of the Austrian Zero Award will be honoured. The series of panel discussions covers the topics ‘The Future of Non-Alcoholic Beverages – Fermentation Instead of De-Alcoholization?’ (Sunday, 11.00), ‘Craft Instead of Industry – What Should Marketing Look Like?’ (Sunday, 14.00), ‘What does the hospitality industry need – how can it make money with No & Low?’ (Monday, 11.00), and ‘De-alcoholization and Sustainability’ (Monday, 14.00). Speakers include Jerome Eckert-Nathan (BevZero), Claudia Geyer (Solos), Benjamin Mayr (Product Development, DFK), Franz Raith (Les Grands Chais, France’s largest de-alcoholizer), Johannes Vasak (Managing Director, Wein & Co), and Andreas Wickhoff MW (Managing Director, Weingut Bründlmayer).

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The ‘School of Wine’ programme is now online!

From 16–18 May 2026, VieVinum will once again bring together the premier wine producers from Austria and many other parts of the world at Vienna’s HOFBURG Palace. The School of Wine’s extensive programme offers attendees the opportunity to learn about and experience the factors currently shaping the wine industry, pressing issues facing winegrowers, and how a light-hearted – even satirical – approach to wine can occasionally be refreshing.

The opportuity to taste a wide range of wines and exchange ideas with the growers in person lies at the very heart of VieVinum. In addition, the diverse programme offered by the School of Wine promises a wealth of expert lectures, discussions and talks. Topics range from examining the unique characteristics of specific grape varieties and vintages in relation to their terroir, to tracking the milestones in wine history. In addition, discussions regarding the future of viticulture will be held, while noted growers offer insights into their often-eventful journeys to success. Entertainment is also on the agenda; there will be wine competitions and presentations by personalities from the worlds of sports and cabaret. These events will take place on all three days of the fair in the Schatzkammersaal, the Burgraum and the Künstlerzimmer.

Panels Featuring Top-flight Experts

The programme at VieVinum will of course feature leading figures from the international wine industry, but the worlds of sport and entertainment will also be represented. Presenters include Willi Balanjuk (À la Carte), Nadja Bernhard (ORF personality), Reeze Choi (Best Sommelier of Asia & the Pacific), Joris Gutierrez Garcia (Best Sommelier of the Americas), Annemarie Foidl (President of the Austrian Sommelier Union), Maximilian Glatz (Master of Wine student), Marcus Hofschuster (wein.plus), Willi Klinger (brand ambassador & strategic consultant), Anne Krebiehl MW, Caro Maurer MW, Thomas Maurer (cabaret artist), Stefan Neumann MS, Herbert Prohaska (soccer legend), Katja Scharnagl (Wine Sales & Education, Sommelière in NYC), Florian Scheuba (cabaret), Kim Schreiber (wein.plus) and Sascha Speicher (Meininger Verlag).

Saturday 16 May – A Dose of Satire

The STK-Weingüter open the School of Wine (9.45) with a journey through their most remarkable and certainly well-known vineyards. Whether the light and dark sides of Riesling stem from whimsy, genetic peculiarities or simply the growers’ signature styles, the wein.plus tasting team of Kim Schreiber and Marcus Hofschuster will thoroughly analyse the question (10.45). Friendship and satire take centre stage when the two cabaret performers Thomas Maurer and Florian Scheuba stage themselves portraying the heartbreakers Riesling and Veltliner from the Wachau, (12.00), and Caro Maurer MW presents a challenge from Carnuntum with a blind tasting exploring the soils, terroirs and wine styles of the region’s leading producers (12.15 p.m.). 

Famous figures of the Renommierte Weingüter Burgenland – renowned far beyond Austria’s borders (13.45) and the young winemakers from the new VieVinum mentoring programme (14.30) will confidently address the question of wine’s future with a selection of their wines. The programme of the Eruption Winzer from Vulkanland Steiermark promises uplifting wines; they are creating a stir these days with their own vineyard classification system. Meanwhile, the press conference to be held by the Österreichische Traditionsweingüter, focusing on new developments with Austria’s leading producers, is aimed at VieVinum’s professional attendees (16.00). The Greek Wine Industry Association will conclude the first day’s programme at VieVinum with their master class Assyrtiko Unplugged (16.45).

Sunday 17 May – Kick-off for Wine- & Sports Legends

Those who arrive at VieVinum early Sunday morning will be rewarded by WienWein with a tasting of legendary wines spanning 60 years (9.15). Weinviertel DAC will host a tasting and discussion designed to explore whether Grüner Veltliner also has a ‘feminine’ side and will also delight participants with a few hidden treasures (11.15). A little later, the Thermenregion extends the invitation to join them tasting through seven decades of epoch-making wines (12.15), followed by wines of exceptional precision and depth from Leithaberg (13.15). Anyone who has always wanted to know what different terroirs have to say can find out at Terroir Talks with the three top sommeliers Raimonds Tomsons (Best Sommelier of the World), Joris Gutierrez Garcia (Best Sommelier of the Americas), and Reeze Choi (Best Sommelier of Asia & Pacific) (14.00 & 16.00). Soccer fans shouldn’t miss the kick-off of the next master class, when soccer legend Herbert Prohaska, sports presenter Rainer Pariasek, and Austrian Sommelier Union president Annemarie Foidl host a blind tasting pitting Niederösterreich against Italy (14.30). And amphora enthusiasts can look forward to the presentation by guest country Georgia (15.15).

Monday 18 May – Regulations & Potential Tension

Fancy a cheese-and-Sekt breakfast? Then sign up for the ARGE Heumilch master class, which, in collaboration with Sekt producer Hannes Harkamp, is all set to explore the mouthfeel of mousseux and sparkling wine (9.15). Following that, growers from wine estates Bründlmayer, Moric and Tement will tackle a decidedly controversial topic with their discussion on regulations versus freedom, origins versus vision (9.30). The school continues on a lively note with the ten-year success story of Sekt Austria, featuring Sekt Austria Reserve and Sekt Austria Grosse Reserve (10.45). Ludwig Neumayer and his grower friends Michael Edlmoser, Andi Kollwentz, John Nittnaus, Reinhard Muster and Georg Prieler will then venture into the delicate balance between myth and truth surrounding limestone terroir (13.15), bringing the third day of VieVinum to a close.

Since many master classes fill up quickly, early registration is recommended!
Online overview: www.vievinum.com/visitors/school-of-wine

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Georgia Calling: VieVinum proudly presents this year’s special guest country

Take a deep dive with us into the ancient origins of wine! That’s what VieVinum 2026 offers with this year’s special guest Georgia, a land rich in vinous tradition like hardly any other. From 16–18 May 2026, some 25 Georgian estates will present their wines at Vienna’s HOFBURG palace – wines whose vinification methods, grape varieties and characteristics are as mysterious as they are fascinating.

We are all familiar with the impressive images of the Greater Caucasus Range, where snow-capped peaks reach high into the heavens. Following their course eastward, one arrives in Kakheti, the largest and most famous of the nation’s four winegrowing regions, which some even call the Napa Valley of (formerly Soviet) Georgia. Here, mountains protect the region from cold northerly air masses, while warm and moist atmospheric currents flow out of the west from the Black Sea. In Kakheti, one also encounters the so-called ‘cinnamon-like’ soils – sandy-calcareous loam with a prominent iron content. Overall, 80 per cent of Georgia is mountainous; climate conditions range widely from high alpine to subtropical to desert-like. Of their approximately 525 indigenous grape varieties, some 45 are of major importance. Best-known are the white Rkatsiteli, Kakhuri Mtsvane and Kisi, as well as the red Saperavi.

Qvevri and Orange Wine

As early as eight thousand years ago, wine was being made in clay vessels in Georgia. The traditional aging process in these amphorae, known as qvevri, has survived throughout the millennia. It has inspired winemakers around the globe and triggered the orange- and natural wine boom of our time. Georgian winegrowers also benefited from this and began to further establish their wines – in a sense, the original version – on the international stage. As a crowning achievement, the ‘Qvevri method’ was declared an ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’ by UNESCO in 2013.

The guest country at VieVinum

During VieVinum, the wineries of our special guest country, Georgia, can be found in the Rittersaal, and on Sunday 17 May, there will be a rare opportunity to learn about the Georgian winegrowers’ perspective on amber wine at the School of Wine.

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VieVinum 2026 – The Power of Wine!

It will be here in less than three months! From 16 May to 18 May, the HOFBURG Vienna will once again become the venue for Austria’s international wine fair, VieVinum.

With this year’s motto, The Power of Wine, industry professionals and wine lovers around the world are invited to share on social media – @vievinum and the hashtag #thepowerofwine – the positive impact that wine has from their perspective. 

Especially in times of a challenging market environment for wine, it’s important to remain aware of its strengths and to keep the positive power of wine in focus. This year, VieVinum organiser Alexandra Graski-Hoffmann is underscoring how wine connects people socially, shapes culture, touches emotions and creates economic value. And with The Power of Wine, VieVinum is conveying a clear message about the relevance of wine as a cultural asset, a unifying element and an economic force – and about VieVinum itself as the central meeting point for the industry and its international community. 

The first comments on this year’s VieVinum motto from leading wine industry figures and partners of VieVinum:

Johannes Schmuckenschlager, President of the Austrian Winegrowers’ Association:
“The Power of Wine is about community, culture, emotion and creating sustainable economic value – all united in wine.”

Chris Yorke, Managing Director of the Austrian Wine Marketing Board: 
“Wine is enjoyment, culture, and community – something that I’ve experienced at every stop in my career around the globe, from Switzerland to New Zealand. This is especially true for Austria: viticulture has been rooted here for thousands of years and remains incredibly vibrant to this day. It shapes our landscape and our culinary traditions, it creates unique moments and it brings people together. None of this would be possible without the work of thousands of winegrowing families who carry the cultural heritage of wine into the future with great passion and innovative spirit – and who, by the way, contribute nearly one percent to Austria’s economic output.”

Christiane Mösl, Managing Director of ARGE Heumilch:
“Wine and hay milk cheese share a common inspiration: they come from the land, are made with true craftsmanship and bring people together at the table. Together, they stand for living culture, genuine enjoyment and importance to the regional economy.”

Stefanie Wareka, Marketing Director, Marzek Etiketten+Packaging
“As a producer of high-quality labels, our goal is to make the power of wine visible to the outside world. Our labels convey emotion, origin and cultural identity, ensuring that a product immediately attracts attention on the shelf — and is ultimately purchased as well.”

Mag. Dr. Harald Hauke, Managing Director of Austria Glas Recycling; Chairman of the Board of ARA (Altstoff Recycling Austria)
“The power of wine meets the power of glass. Wine and glass belong together. In a drinking glass, wine opens its olfactory and sensory strengths. The red of the red wine sparkles; the light green of the white wine glitters. At celebrations and events, we clink our glasses and toast to our health. But before wine makes its grand entrance, it’s perfectly contained in the glass bottle. Glass bottles protect aroma and flavour - and are what allow the wine to reach the table exactly as it was created by the winemakers. The power of the glass bottle continues even after its content has been consumed. Because glass bottles - virtual icons of the circular economy - can be recycled again and again. Provided that we dispose of them responsibly - for the good of nature.”

Alexandra Graski-Hoffmann, Managing Director of M.A.C. Hoffmann and Organiser of VieVinum
“For me, the power of wine lies in its ability to connect people and foster friendships. The wine industry is filled with remarkable, inspiring and genuinely warm people. Seeing so many of them come together every two years at VieVinum – which is often described as the most beautiful wine fair in the world – fills me with joy and satisfaction and, at the same time, motivates me and my team to always create the very best possible setting and environment for this gathering.”

#thepowerofwine

Industry professionals, producers and wine lovers worldwide are invited to share on the social media channels Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn – using the hashtag #thepowerofwine – the positive influence that wine has in their view. 

Follow and tag us on
Instagram, Facebook & LinkedIn

Countdown to the School of Wine & Online Tickets

The School of Wine programme will be available online shortly. Step by step, the mentees of the Gerd A. Hoffmann Academy at VieVinum will be introduced along with a closer look at the wine exhibitor structure. Tickets are now available online. Trade visitors can purchase a discounted ticket upon accreditation.

Hotel Bookings

The announcement of Vienna as the host city for the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) on 16 May 2026 has resulted in a sharp increase in hotel demand in the Austrian capital.  Fortunately, as predicted by tourism organisations, rooms are now gradually becoming available again. It is therefore advisable to check the various booking platforms regularly and, of course, to contact hotels directly.

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The VieVinum 2026 mentoring programme kicks off

As Austria’s wine country gears up for its major wine trade fair, VieVinum (16–18 May 2026), the Gerd A. Hoffmann Academy is already buzzing with activity! For this cross-mentoring programme – a VieVinum highlight - thirteen young winemakers were selected for participation, and on Wednesday, 28 January, all of the mentees and their mentors gathered together for their first major meeting at INTERSPAR Österreich’s a la carte restaurant, das Mezzanin - restaurant & bar, in the Haus am Schottentor, in the heart of Vienna.

Through exchanges with their mentors, the 13 mentees seek to gain fresh perspectives, practical insights and advice, inspiration, expand their existing networks, and further their personal development. Topics such as internationalisation, digitalisation, marketing and target groups, and corporate succession, are high on the mentee wish lists. The roster of talented young participants includes Alexander Fritsch, Clemens Krutzler, Stefanie Leitner, Florian Masser, Lena Skringer, and the sibling trio of Sophie, Katharina, and Maximilian Wieninger.

Amongst the mentors are big names such as Peter Aufreiter (Director General of the Vienna Museum of Science & Technology); Hans Bergmann (Wine Department Head at SPAR Austria), Christine Klimaschka (Co-Publisher of myGiulia), Josef Pröll (President of the Austrian Football Association), Waltraud Scharnagl (Wine Category Manager at SPAR Österreich), Gabriela Straka (Corporate Sustainability Manager, MANZ Publishing), and Stefanie Wareka (Marzek Etiketten+Packaging). 

A new feature of this year’s mentoring programme is the involvement of graduates from previous years serving as “buddies” to advise the mentees. The Gerd A. Hoffmann Academy continues to be under the patronage of Johannes Schmuckenschlager, President of the Austrian Winegrowers’ Association.

Goals and procedure 

The Gerd A. Hoffmann Academy has been part of the VieVinum wine trade fair since 2022. In this cross-mentoring programme, young winemakers are accompanied on their professional path for several months by mentoring personalities from business and society. The mentees who applied and were accepted to the programme met the eligibility criteria of being between the ages 18 and 35, are participating in VieVinum, and are taking over or have founded – or are founding – a winery. For these newcomers, opportunities lie in the exchange of experience; for everyone involved, the emphasis is on sharing a passion for wine, learning from each other, and establishing new networks. The key steps of the project are the matching of mentee and mentor and their getting to know each other, an initial review of this dynamic in the coming Spring and, finally, a presentation of the experiences gained as part of the School of Wine at VieVinum 2026. 

Alexandra Graski-Hoffmann, organiser of VieVinum, is keen to utilise this programme as a place for interaction and exchange. "I hope this step will strengthen our community, reveal shared visions for all the participants, and enable us to enter the future VieVinum years with renewed energy and confidence," she says.

Adds Hans G. Bergmann, Wine Department Head for SPAR Österreichische Warenhandels-AG: “With INTERSPAR Weinwelt and the online shop weinwelt.at, we’ve been firmly established as a force in the wine industry for more than two decades. INTERSPAR sees itself as an active driver of change and is deeply committed to supporting emerging talents and bringing new names to the forefront. To achieve this, INTERSPAR offers the ideal marketplace - both in our stores and online. It is therefore all the more an honour for me to serve as a mentor at the Gerd A. Hoffmann Academy together with my colleague and wine expert, Waltraud Scharnagl.”

All mentees and mentors of the Gerd A. Hoffmann Academy 2026

Bioweingut Bergkirchner, Martin Bergkirchner & Mag. Peter Aufreiter, Director General of the Vienna Museum of Science and Technology with the Austrian Media Library

Weingut Gerhard Deim, Gerhard Deim & Josef Pröll, CEO of Leipnik-Lundenburger Invest Beteiligungs AG (LLI)

Weingut Eichberger, Marcus Eichberger & Stefanie Wareka, Head of Marketing at Marzek Etiketten + Packaging GmbH

Weinberghof Fritsch, Alexander Fritsch & Stefan Schauer, Managing Director of STAUD’S GmbH

Weingut Katharina Gessl, Katharina Gessl & Christine Klimaschka, Co-Publisher, Communications & Partnerships at myGiulia

Weingut Krutzler, Clemens Krutzler & Hans Bergmann, Wine Department Head at SPAR and INTERSPAR, Wine Expert

Weingut Lex Langmann, Verena Langmann & Waltraud Scharnagl, Wine Category Manager at SPAR and INTERSPAR Wine Expert

Weinhof Leitner, Stefanie Leitner & Prof. Christoph Madl, Tourism Business Specialist and Court-Certified Expert

Weingut Masser, Florian Masser & Wolfgang Reichl, Managing Director of Reichl & Reichl GmbH, Organiser of the Haute Couture Austria Award

Weingut Pröll, Maximilian Pröll & Certified Sommelier Brad Knowles, Vice President of the Burgenland Sommelier Association, Brand Ambassador & Sales Austria, Stölzle Lausitz

Weingut Schmid, Verena Schmid & Dr. Gabriela Maria Straka, Certified Beer Sommelier, Editor-in-Chief at MANZ “NIU Sustainability in Business”; Board Member of RespACT

Weingut Skringer, Lena Skringer & Attila Janos, Founder & Owner of supseven TYPO3 Web Agency 

Weingut Wieninger, Hajszan Neumann, Wieninger.next, Sophie, Katharina & Maximilian Wieninger & Sandor Döry, Founder/Chairman, E-Commerce Initiative Austria; CEO, SRG IT & Marketing GmbH

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The Stage is Set for VieVinum!

From May 16 to 18, 2026, HOFBURG Vienna will once again become the vibrant meeting point of the international wine industry. Austria's major wine exhibition focuses on looking toward the future and wine as a unifying element. A new, brilliant VieVinum edition dedicated entirely to multifaceted diversity.

Discover, Network, Share Wine Experiences

VieVinum is heading into an exciting 2026 trade fair season with renewed energy and numerous new offerings. A wide variety of exhibitors promises a rich field of discovery spanning origins, grape varieties, wine styles, and current trends. More than ever, the focus is on bringing winegrowers and their wines together with trade and hospitality professionals as well as wine enthusiasts. To this end, organizer M.A.C. Hoffmann has initiated new partnerships and deepened existing collaborations. 

The School of Wine programme adds to the vibrancy, where young and unconventional characters mix with the great legends of winemaking history, and wines from alternative cultivation and production methods are explored alongside traditional monuments. The "Zone Zero" offers a refreshing break, showcasing the market's current exciting offerings in alcohol-free beverages, keeping pace with contemporary trends.

Cross-Mentoring with Buddies

There is already considerable activity within the Gerd A. Hoffmann Academy, established in 2022. Promising young winegrowers have once again qualified for the cross-mentoring project and are currently learning which personality will accompany them as a mentor until the upcoming VieVinum. Additionally, for the first time, graduates from previous years will serve as advisory "buddies."

Stars for Wine Lists

Another highlight of the upcoming VieVinum is the award ceremony for "Star Wine List of the Year" for Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. The Star Wine List ranks among the world's most significant wine list evaluations and will again honor establishments that have distinguished themselves with exceptional wine programmes.

Music with Wine

On May 16, 2026, the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) final will take place at Vienna's Stadthalle. To make the best use of this temporal overlap on VieVinum's opening day, both organizers are engaged in constructive dialogue. The goal is to inspire new audiences for Austrian wine by creating synergies.

United for Austrian Wine

Since 1998, Austria's international wine festival has documented the careers of Austrian winegrowers biennially. From the beginning, organizer M.A.C. Hoffmann and the Austrian Wine Marketing Board (AWMB) have combined expertise and innovative spirit seamlessly.

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