Kamptal

The Kamptal in Austria is named after the Kamp, which flows through the wine-growing region. The most important wine town is Langenlois; Kammern is also documented as a wine-growing location. The region covers approximately 4,000 hectares of vineyard area, of which around 3,900 hectares are stated for the region in Langenlois.

The vineyards are often located on steep slopes and on terraces along the Kamptal, partly on traditional, historic dry-stone and stone walls. The soils are diverse and include loess, gravel, crystalline primary rock, granite, slate and substrates shaped by volcanic activity. At Heiligenstein, Permian sandstone with volcanic inclusions forms the underlying geology, dated to an age of around 270 million years. In Langenlois, deep loess can be found, among other things, loess containing sand and clay over Gföhler gneiss, crystalline rock as well as black earth and brown earth over Gföhler gneiss.

The climate combines cooling air currents from the forested Waldviertel to the north with milder Pannonian influences from the Danube to the south. Approximately 2,000 sunshine hours are given per year. In the north of the Kamptal, cooler conditions and pronounced differences between day and night temperatures provide a longer ripening period and the preservation of fruit aromas. South-facing slopes, especially at Heiligenstein, can show hot and dry microclimates.

The vineyards are frequently structured in small plots. Unmanaged strips between the plots can provide habitat for flora and fauna.

Kamptal DAC wines may be made from Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, Chardonnay, Weißburgunder or Grauburgunder, either as single-variety wines or as a cuvée of these varieties. The current DAC system distinguishes regional wine (Gebietswein), village wine (Ortswein) and vineyard wine (Riedenwein). Regional wine is light to medium in strength and balanced, village wine is medium in strength with typical ripeness for the region. Vineyard wine ranges from medium to full-bodied and is shaped by the soil and climate of the specified vineyard site; light to medium influences from oak are permitted.

Kamptal DAC was introduced for the 2008 vintage, initially with Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. The current regulation has been in force since 17 September 2024; wines up to and including the 2023 vintage can still be labelled under the previous designation rules. From the 2025 harvest onwards, the grapes must come from certified organic production or must meet the Sustainable Austria certification, with the exception of producers producing less than 5,000 litres of Kamptal DAC wine in the relevant vintage.

Kamptal DAC wine must be produced and bottled in the wine-growing region. Regional wine must have 11.5 to 12.5 volume percentage alcohol on the main label; village wine and vineyard wine at least 12.0 volume percentage. The designation Reserve requires a submission for the official test number no earlier than 1 July of the second year after the harvest.