The word Heuriger refers to both the new year's wine harvest and the vineyard tavern where the new wine can be sampled. Heurige are a real Viennese institution! It all started in 1784 when Emperor Joseph II officially gave vine-growers around Vienna the right to sell their wine and other agricultural products to the public in special places near the vineyards. That is why real Heurige can only be found in wine-growing regions. Vienna's wine-growing area is located on the hills of the Wienerwald (Wiener = Viennese + Wald = wood).

A real Heuriger can only sell wine and food of its own production. Most Heurige are not open all year round. When they are open, there is a bunch of pine-twigs at the door. Do not be discouraged if you find the Heuriger you were heading for is closed. There are so many around that you will always find some open whatever time of the year you are there!

Vienna's most popular destination in the Wienerwald area is Grinzing, a picturesque village that is packed with dozens of Heurige. To go to Grinzing, take bus No. 38A from the U4 station of Heiligenstadt, or take tramway No. 38 from Schottentor. You know you are in Grinzing when you see the long row of sightseeing-tour buses parked there!