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The Weinviertel cellar culture was included in the Austrian UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage as particularly worthy of protection. Cellar alleys characterise the wine-growing villages north and east of Vienna and represent the centre of a special form of social life. For centuries, winegrowers and cellar owners have met for a "cellar hour" to "reflect on life over a glass of wine", as UNESCO puts it. A larger group of visitors is invited to a "cellar party", accompanied by a "cellar snack" consisting mainly of cold dishes. Wines from the cellars and press houses are always tasted.
Owners of a cellar used to be called "Kellermann". Today, this designation applies to people who take care of the Weinviertel cellars, maintain the cellar culture and pass on this heritage. Since 2012, a "Kellermann of the Year" has been chosen every year who has rendered outstanding services to these topics. In addition, around 660 cellar lane guides have been trained since 1990.
In the German-speaking world, the Weinviertel cellar culture became known not least through the successful "Polt" novels by the Austrian writer Alfred Komarek. Several of the stories about the character of the former policeman Simon Polt were also made into films. Today, visitors can follow Polt's literary footsteps on a special "Polt cycle path" or in the company of a cellar lane guide.
(al / Source: Der Winzer; Photo: ÖWM Armin Faber)
More on the topic:
Dry stone walls are Austrian UNESCO cultural heritage site
German Wine Culture Becomes Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO