This loamy, flat land has 1877 hectares planted mainly with Blaufränkisch. Other important varieties here are Zweigelt, Welschriesling and Weissburgunder.
The picture of the landscape begins to change here. This area south of the Neusiedlersee is more hilly and wooded than the rest of Burgenland. The most well-known wine villages here are Horitschon, Deutschkreuz, Neckenmarkt and Lutzmannsburg.
It was never easy for the region's wine-makers. In the 17th century, many had their land taken away and they were forbidden to plant vines. Although this repression didn't last long, several conflicts in the 19th century destroyed numerous vineyards. Still, the wine-makers were indefatigable.
The nickname of the region, "Blaufränkisch Land", clearly reveals the dominance of this red variety. Deep, heavy soil with ample water-storing capacity helps provide outstanding conditions for producing red wines that are dry, rich in tannin and full of character. Some of the best wine-makers benefit tremendously from their old vineyards - some of these are more than 80 years old - with low yields bringing high quality.
Besides producing the Blaufränkisch, there is a lot of experimentation with blending other red varieties. These cuvées are aged mostly in small oak barrels - barriques - and represent a new style of Austrian red wine. White varieties constitute only around 30% of the grapes grown in the region.