Somewhere between the turquoise lakes and emerald hills of Austrian Carinthia, where the air smells of pine trees and the grapes bathe in golden sunshine, lies a destination that is more than just a winery – it is a cultural manifesto, a historical palimpsest and a gourmet adventure. Housed in a renovated medieval castle from the 12th century, Weingut Taggenbrunn offers an experience that goes beyond all classic wine tours. It is a place where every drop of wine bears the imprint of terroir, every dish tells a story and every room whispers the echo of centuries.
Restored with love, investment and aesthetic vision by the Riedl family, founders of the prestigious Jacques Lemans watch brand, the castle Taggenbrunn today a temple of pleasure. The cellar, vineyards, a top-notch restaurant, a boutique hotel and even an art museum are all connected in a narrative that slowly but passionately reveals everything from the minerality of Pinot to the philosophy of time. Nothing is left to chance – here every experience is thoughtfully designed to captivate you.
View this post on Instagram
Wine poetry on the terraces below the castle
The vineyards of Weingut Taggenbrunn extend over 45 hectares of sunny slopes, which hug the castle like a green-copper armor. The microclimate, where Alpine and Mediterranean influences meet, allows the cultivation of varieties that would not be so finely balanced elsewhere. All harvesting is done by hand - in the spirit of tradition and sustainability.
BOOK ACCOMMODATION: Weingut Taggenbrunn
View this post on Instagram
Brutal elegance in Jacques Paagnier sparkling wine
Jacques Paagnier Brut Nature sparkling wine, named after the founder of a watchmaking dynasty, is sharp chic in a bottle. With zero residual sugar, the Brut reveals everything that others hide – intense minerality, yeasty notes and dry elegance. The ideal companion for an aperitif sunset by the castle walls or to start a slow food dinner under Renaissance arches.
View this post on Instagram
The charm of Jezeršek on a castle plate
The restaurant is run by the team from the renowned Slovenian culinary house Jezeršek, who transformed Taggenbrunn Castle into one of the best restaurants in the region. The menu is seasonal, locally inspired and served with an artistic signature. Rabbit pâté with pinot jelly, wild duck with blueberry jus and chestnut mousse with grape reduction syrup – every bite is an homage to the landscape that surrounds you.
View this post on Instagram
Night between the walls of time – Taggenbrunn boutique hotel
When the day in Carinthia ends with a kiss of a red sunset, life at Taggenbrunn Castle doesn't calm down - it just changes its rhythm. The mysteriously illuminated courtyard atrium glows in the warm light of lanterns, and paths lead to one of the most intimate hotels in Austria. The boutique hotel within the castle complex is designed for those who seek understated elegance and authenticity in luxury.
Each room is a story in itself – designed in natural materials, dominated by light Swiss larch wood, gentle shades of nature and a view that does not need curtains. Instead of a television, the view of the vineyards and the distant Karavanke mountains offers you a real visual zen. Nothing is overcrowded, nothing kitschy. Everything breathes with the rhythm of the landscape.
View this post on Instagram
Rooms are not just places to sleep – they are sanctuaries, where books with art essays replace hotel brochures, where bathrooms with marble details offer a spa-like effect, and where every corner invites you to linger. A bottle of house wine on the room table is not an attention grabber – it is an invitation to socialize with wine, with thoughts, and with yourself.
In the morning, you will be greeted by a breakfast that could be described as a local bistro with a high sense of origin. Fresh cheeses from the Carinthian pastures, homemade jam from grapes from the estate, bread from a local bakery that still bakes in a bread oven - and of course sparkling wine, if the day can start on a festive note.
The hotel is not just a place to rest, but an integral part of the Taggenbrunn experience. After a day of exploring art, tasting wines and enjoying cuisine, you return to a room that does not interrupt the story – but gently continues it into the night.
When a castle becomes a gallery of time
Taggenbrunn is not just a vineyard – it is also an art space. The exhibition “Zeiträume” by artist Andrej Heller explores the themes of time, duration and ecological responsibility. Installations that make use of the castle’s rooms and light transform a visit into a meditation on transience. This is a culture that does not flaunt itself, but quietly shakes you.
View this post on Instagram
Conclusion
Weingut Taggenbrunn is not for those who are just looking for a wine tasting. It is for those who want to feel the ground beneath their feet, hear the story in the glass and experience what it means to combine spiritual and physical aesthetics. The castle, which once protected from enemies, today invites seekers of beauty, peace and unforgettable taste.
If you're looking for your next destination where wine meets art and history loves nature – you've just found it.
