Rosalia DAC

Rosalia DAC sits on the eastern slopes of the Rosalia Mountains, right at the border between Lower Austria and Burgenland. Vineyards reach elevations of up to 750 metres (2,640 feet), and the region's compact size makes it the smallest DAC appellation in Austria. The Pannonian continental climate delivers warm summers, while the proximity of the mountains introduces a cool alpine influence that drives meaningful diurnal temperature shifts. Grapes accumulate warmth through the day and cool down sharply at night, preserving freshness and aromatic intensity in the finished wines.

• Elevations reach up to 750 metres (2,640 feet)
• Pannonian continental climate with alpine cooling from nearby mountains
• Diurnal temperature shifts preserve acidity and aroma in the grapes
• Located at the Lower Austria-Burgenland administrative border

The soils of Rosalia DAC reflect a rich geological history spanning tens of millions of years. Crystalline rocks dominate the southwestern portion of the region, while Neogene sediments from the Vienna Basin transition toward the northeast. Sandy and loamy deposits with variable lime content are common throughout, and brown earth soils over loess subsoil appear across the vineyards. Many of these deposits trace back to a prehistoric sea that covered the area between 16 and 12 million years ago, leaving behind a layered geological foundation that gives the wines a distinctive mineral character.

• Crystalline rocks in the southwest; Neogene sediments toward the northeast
• Sandy and loamy deposits with variable lime content throughout
• Brown earth soils on loess subsoil in many parcels
• Soil deposits originate from a prehistoric sea 16-12 million years old

Blaufränkisch is the dominant variety, covering 50% of the total vineyard area, followed by Zweigelt. These two grapes form the backbone of the three approved wine styles. Rosalia DAC and Rosalia DAC Reserve are powerful, spicy dry reds built for structure and longevity. Rosalia DAC Rosé delivers fruity, fresh, and spicy character in a dry style. The rosé category is particularly significant, as it holds the distinction of being Austria's only protected designation of origin specifically for rosé wine.

• Blaufränkisch on 50% of vineyard area, Zweigelt is secondary
• Red wines require minimum 12% alcohol and maximum 4 g/l residual sugar
• Three approved styles: Rosalia DAC, Rosalia DAC Reserve, Rosalia DAC Rosé
• Rosalia DAC Rosé is Austria's sole PDO for rosé

Celtic tribes recognized the viticultural potential of this area over 2,500 years ago, establishing a long tradition of winegrowing in the Rosalia foothills. In modern terms, the region was elevated from Grosslage status to a full DAC (Districtus Austriae Controllatus) in 2018, with wines qualifying from the 2017 vintage onward. Rosalia DAC holds a notable first in Austrian wine law: it was the first DAC region to include rosé among its regionally typical wine styles. Since the 2022 vintage, the pygmy owl, the regional symbol, has featured on labels as an identifier of authenticity and provenance.

• Viticulture history stretches back over 2,500 years to Celtic settlement
• Elevated from Grosslage to DAC status in 2018
• First Austrian DAC to include rosé as a regionally typical style
• Pygmy owl regional symbol appears on labels from the 2022 vintage