The ÖTW Single Vineyard Summit will be held in Austria’s historic Grafenegg castle park on 8-12 September.
Sommeliers Australia has been offered the opportunity to nominate two of its members to attend the ÖTW Single Vineyard Summit in Austria – with all major expenses, including flights, accommodation, transfers, and meals, fully covered.
Applications open Friday 6 June 2025 – 1200 AEST
Applications close Monday 23 June 2025 – 1200 AEST
Successful applicants will be notified beginning of July
About the 2025 ÖTW Single Vineyard Summit
Organised by the 90-member winery group, Österreichische Traditionsweingüter (ÖTW), this is an annual summit offering a five-day platform for professionals to taste the best site-specific Austrian wines. It is undoubtedly the most demanding and exciting tasting that takes place in Austria.
From September 8-12, around 500 wines exclusively from ÖTW Erste Lagen and single vineyards will be offered in a tasting, for which trade press, importers, sommeliers and retailers will travel from all over the world.
The grounds of Grafenegg Castle, about 60 km west of Vienna, provide the picturesque setting for this high-quality tasting, which is organized by the Austrian Traditional Wine Estates. Almost 80 winegrowers along the Danube – from the Traisen Valley to Carnuntum – are the initiators of the event, which has been held annually since 2013.
Dozens of premium producers from Austria’s key wine regions converge on Grafenegg to personally present their wines – before they reach the market. This is a once-in-a-year opportunity to discover the singular characteristics of site-specific wines from the ÖTW members and guest regions, which cover Austria’s most renowned appellations.
One of the summit’s distinguishing features is that is is tailored to wine professionals, from journalists and sommeliers to importers and retailers.
There are two pre-booked tasting slots each day, at 9am and 2pm., with the exception of Monday 8 September, when there is just a 2pm afternoon slot. After registering, each participant can decide which wines they would like to taste and in what order by writing the desired sample numbers on a ticket. The winemakers themselves usually then bring the wines and present them at each place.
The format is a so-called ‘silent tasting’, with access to allocated seating only permitted at the beginning, to ensure everyone can get the most out of each session.
The Single Vineyard Summit has a proven recipe for success: an efficient format for professionals to taste more than 500 single vineyard wines in a picturesque location with an extensive supporting programme of events and dinners.
Schedule:
- Arrival in Austria the latest on the morning of Sunday 7 September – economy flight (flight dates can be adjusted to individual schedule) – includes shuttle pick-up from airport
- Overnight stay during the whole time directly on site at Schloss Grafenegg (includes breakfast)
- Lunch is provided each day directly on site next to the tasting location
- Evening program varies from excursions to formal and relaxed dinners and are covered daily
- Departure from Austria either Friday 13 September (evening) or Saturday 14 September (morning) – includes shuttle pick-up to airport
Please note: All travel, accommodation and meal expenses are fully covered by the organisers.
Sommeliers Australia Participant Requirements
- Must hold a current Professional membership with Sommeliers Australia at the time of application and throughout the duration of the summit.
- Must be actively working in the hospitality industry as a sommelier, wine buyer, or wine professional in a wine retail or distribution setting.
- Must submit a current CV, highlighting their relevant wine and service experience.
- Must complete a short questionnaire.
- Must have completed at least WSET Level 3, CMS Certified or equivalent industry experience.
- Must have demonstrated judging experience.
- Must be available from Friday 7 September to Saturday 14 September.
- Must sign a Sommeliers Australia Code of Conduct
- Must agree to hosting a related masterclass, with the support of the Sommeliers Australia committee, upon return to Australia
- A $100 participation fee, payable to Sommeliers Australia, applies for the two selected attendees.
To apply, please fill out this application form.
Applications close on Monday 23 June.
