Zweigelt

Zweigelt carries the VIVC prime name Zweigeltrebe Blau, variety number 13484, with Austria as its country of origin and a noir berry skin. Its parents are St. Laurent and Blaufränkisch, a pedigree confirmed by DNA markers. A 1997 microsatellite study in the journal Vitis proved the parentage of Zweigelt (Blaufränkisch x St. Laurent) at 24 SSR loci. The passport lists Fritz Zweigelt as the breeder, at the Höhere Bundeslehranstalt und Bundesamt für Wein- und Obstbau (HBLAuBA) Klosterneuburg. Jancis Robinson describes Zweigelt as "Austria's most planted red wine grape, bred locally".

• VIVC prime name: Zweigeltrebe Blau; VIVC variety number 13484; country of origin: Austria
• Parents: St. Laurent x Blaufränkisch, confirmed by DNA markers
• Breeder: Fritz Zweigelt, HBLAuBA Klosterneuburg

Friedrich Zweigelt created the variety in 1922 in Klosterneuburg, Lower Austria, breeding it from St. Laurent and Blaufränkisch. The cross was bred to combine the bite of Blaufränkisch with the body of St. Laurent. Zweigelt named his variety Rotburger, a combination of the wine colour and the place of origin; it was not until 1975 that it was given the name Zweigelt in Austria. The variety is also known as Zweigeltrebe and Blauer Zweigelt. In December 2018 the Viennese artists' collective Institut ohne direkte Eigenschaften called for the variety to be renamed, to draw attention to the National Socialist sentiments of Friedrich Zweigelt. Willy Klinger, head of ÖsterreichWein Marketing, said a decision on renaming should come only after the research results were available.

• Created in 1922 in Klosterneuburg (Lower Austria) from St. Laurent and Blaufränkisch
• First named Rotburger by its breeder; named Zweigelt in Austria from 1975
• Renaming called for in December 2018 by a Viennese artists' collective over Friedrich Zweigelt's National Socialist sentiments

Most of Austria's Zweigelt vineyards are in Burgenland and Niederösterreich. Within Niederösterreich lies the Carnuntum DAC, which is known for its Zweigelt wines. Neusiedlersee, on the northeastern tip of Burgenland, is the subject of a Decanter regional profile titled "Zweigelt homeland", and Zweigelt is bottled there as both Neusiedlersee DAC and Neusiedlersee DAC Reserve. Beyond Austria, Zweigelt is also grown in the Czech Republic.

• Carnuntum DAC (Niederösterreich): known for its Zweigelt wines
• Neusiedlersee (Burgenland): Zweigelt bottled as Neusiedlersee DAC and Neusiedlersee DAC Reserve
• Czech Republic: Zweigelt is also grown there

Zweigelt was bred to combine the bite of Blaufränkisch with the body of St. Laurent.

Zweigelt yields prolifically.

Weingut Gerhard Markowitsch is based in Göttlesbrunn in Carnuntum and stands primarily for Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch and Chardonnay; Decanter calls Gerhard Markowitsch a major producer in Carnuntum. Weingut Umathum, Josef Umathum's estate in Burgenland, makes Zweigelt alongside St. Laurent and Blaufränkisch. Weingut Franz & Christine Netzl harvests Zweigelt from the vineyards around its village of Göttlesbrunn in Carnuntum.

• Weingut Gerhard Markowitsch (Carnuntum): stands primarily for Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch and Chardonnay
• Weingut Umathum (Burgenland): lineup includes Zweigelt, St. Laurent and Blaufränkisch
• Weingut Franz & Christine Netzl (Carnuntum): harvests Zweigelt from vineyards around Göttlesbrunn

Primary sources: https://www.vivc.de/index.php?r=passport%2Fview&id=13484 ; https://doi.org/10.5073/vitis.1997.36.179-183 ; https://www.markowitsch.at/ ; https://www.umathum.at/ ; https://www.netzl.com/ Reference sources: https://www.jancisrobinson.com/learn/grape-varieties/red/zweigelt ; https://www.decanter.com/premium/experts-choice-zweigelt-488863/ ; https://www.decanter.com/premium/zweigelt-homeland-neusiedlersee-dac-regional-profile-and-wines-to-try-456510/ ; https://magazine.wein.plus/news/austrian-artists-and-vintners-demand-renaming-of-zweigelt-friedrich-zweigelt-who-gave-the-building-its-name-had-been-an-ardent-supporter-of-the-nazis Last verified 2026-10-20