Weingut und Heuriger Christ

Weingut und Heuriger Christ is a winery and tavern (Heuriger) located in Großjedlersdorf, in Vienna's 21st district, Austria. The estate traces its agricultural roots back to 1605, when it operated as a mixed farm with crop cultivation and livestock. Over the centuries, the Christ family gradually shifted toward viticulture: Franz Christ Senior began incorporating winegrowing in 1927, and from 1971 onward, Franz and Johanna Christ increasingly moved away from mixed farming, fully specializing in winegrowing by the 1980s. In 2005, Rainer Christ took over the estate, initiating a comprehensive architectural and technical modernization that turned the property into a modern winegrowing landmark while preserving its historic character. The winery cultivates approximately 25 hectares of vineyards (as of 2025), with 10.4 hectares in the Bisamberg-Wien large vineyard area. The soil diversity allows a broad range of grape varieties: about 80% white varieties such as Grüner Veltliner, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Weißburgunder (Pinot Blanc), Riesling, and Gelber Muskateller, and 20% red varieties including Zweigelt, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. Average annual production is around 100,000 bottles. Since 2014, the estate has practiced exclusively organic viticulture. It is a member of the renowned WienWein association, which Rainer Christ co-founded and has presided over since 2021. The winery is also a member of the Österreichische Traditionsweingüter since 2018. The Heuriger, open in odd-numbered months, is an integral part of the business, offering traditional Viennese hospitality with a buffet and seasonal dishes. It has received numerous accolades, including being named among Vienna's TOP Heurigen in 2015, and Rainer Christ was honored as Austria's Heurigenwirt of the Year in 2017 and Winzer of the Year 2025 by Wirtshausführer Österreich. In 2019, the Wiener Heurige was recognized as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. The winery's wines are regularly featured in major wine guides such as Der große Johnson, Falstaff, and Vinaria. The estate remains family-owned and operated, combining tradition with modern innovation.

The history of Weingut und Heuriger Christ spans over four centuries. The agricultural production site can be documented as a conventional mixed farm with crop cultivation and livestock since 1605. The farm was founded in the 17th century, and for generations the Christ family worked the land in Großjedlersdorf, now part of Vienna's 21st district. A significant shift occurred in 1927 when Franz Christ Senior, the only one of seven siblings, increasingly focused on viticulture. However, it was not until 1971 that Franz and Johanna Christ took over the farm and gradually began to move away from arable farming and livestock, driving specialization in winegrowing. In the 1980s, they made the bold decision to dedicate the estate exclusively to wine production, marking the beginning of a new chapter and laying the foundation for today's winery. In 2005, their son Rainer Christ (born 21 February 1975) took over the estate. He initiated a generous renovation and expansion, transforming the parental property into an architectural and viticultural landmark at its historic location. The modernization of production facilities brought the winery up to current technical standards while preserving the tradition of the over 400-year-old business. In 2006, the estate was further developed as a winegrowing landmark. In 2014, the Petershof, the oldest organically managed vineyards in the city, was integrated into Weingut Christ, and the entire operation was converted to organic farming. Since then, the winery has practiced exclusively organic viticulture. In 2018, Rainer Christ achieved a unique feat by becoming a five-time Landessieger (state champion), and the winery also joined the Österreichische Traditionsweingüter (Austrian Traditional Wine Estates) that same year. The Heuriger has its own history: in 1959, the first dedicated tavern for guests was built. In 1975, the wine cellar was relocated from the Kellergasse to Großjedlersdorf, providing the shortest path from barrel to glass. In 2005, the garden and parlors were expanded and adapted, and a vinotheque was opened. In 2015, the Heuriger Christ was among the newly founded Vienna TOP Heurigen. In 2017, Rainer Christ was named Austria's Heurigenwirt of the Year. In 2019, the Wiener Heurige was recognized as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. In 2024, the Heuriger underwent a comprehensive renovation. Rainer Christ is a founding member of the WienWein association, which has been instrumental in reviving the cultivation of Gemischter Satz in Vienna and creating the Wiener Gemischter Satz DAC appellation from the 2013 vintage. Since 2021, he has served as president of the WienWein group. The winery is also a member of the Österreichische Traditionsweingüter since 2018. Today, Weingut und Heuriger Christ is one of the well-known wine estates in Austria, regularly featured in major wine guides such as Der große Johnson, Der kleine Johnson, Falstaff, and Vinaria. The total vineyard area is 25 hectares (as of 2025), with an average annual production of 100,000 bottles.

• 2025

  Rainer Christ named Winzer des Jahres 2025 by Wirtshausführer Österreich.

• 2024

  Comprehensive renovation of the Heuriger.

• 2021

  Rainer Christ becomes president of the WienWein group.

• 2019

  Wiener Heurige recognized as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.

• 2018

  Rainer Christ becomes five-time Landessieger; winery joins Österreichische Traditionsweingüter.

• 2017

  Rainer Christ named Austria's Heurigenwirt of the Year.

• 2015

  Heuriger Christ becomes part of the newly founded Vienna TOP Heurigen.

• 2014

  Petershof integrated; entire operation converted to organic farming.

• 2006

  Rainer Christ builds the parental property into a winegrowing landmark after extensive renovation.

• 2005

  Rainer Christ takes over the estate; expansion of garden and parlors; vinotheque opens.

• 1980

  Franz and Johanna Christ decide to focus exclusively on winegrowing.

• 1975

  Wine cellar relocated from Kellergasse to Großjedlersdorf.

• 1971

  Franz and Johanna Christ take over the farm and gradually move away from arable farming and livestock.

• 1959

  First dedicated tavern for guests is built.

• 1927

  Franz Christ Senior, the only one of seven siblings, increasingly focuses on viticulture.

• 1605

  First documented as a conventional mixed farm with crop cultivation and livestock.

Premium organic Viennese winery and traditional Heuriger, blending four centuries of family tradition with modern winemaking and hospitality.

• Wiener Gemischter Satz

  A traditional Viennese field blend, praised by Falstaff for its inimitable terroir expression.

• Vollmondwein

  A Weißburgunder harvested during a specific moon phase, highlighted by Der große Johnson.

• Weißburgunder Ried Falkenberg

  A premium wine from the Falkenberg vineyard, considered among Austria's best of its kind by Vinaria's tasting director Viktor Siegl.

• Grüner Veltliner

  A flagship white variety, particularly highlighted by Der große Johnson.

1. 1Weingut Christ - Weingut, Heuriger und Weineweingut-christ.at
2. 2Die 400 Jahre alte Geschichte des Weingut Christweingut-christ.at
3. 3Die Geschichte des Heuriger Christweingut-christ.at
4. 4Weingut und Heuriger Christ - Wikidatawikidata.org
5. 5Weingut Christ - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org