A cellar door is a good reason not to schedule every minute of a day trip. For Martiniloben, the St Martin’s wine celebrations in Purbach am Neusiedler See, it is worth choosing just a few stops and leaving time for questions. On Friday and Saturday, 6 and 7 November 2026, 17 wine estates will open their doors from 3pm to 9pm each day. The event is organised by the Verein Purbacher Winzer; art joins the wine through a collaboration with Kunstkreis Purbach.
The appeal of this November weekend is not in collecting as many glasses as possible. More interesting is the opportunity to consider provenance and cellar work together: the vineyards outside, the historic cellars in town, and the decisions an estate makes, explored in conversation.
A historic cellar lane, estates throughout the town
Around 1850, Purbach’s winegrowers began building their cellars at the foot of the Leithagebirge. Today, around 50 historic cellars make up the Kellergasse, or cellar lane. It gives a visit a sense of the landscape and local craftsmanship – but it should not be confused with the full area covered by the event. Participating estates are also spread across other streets in the town.
The programme lists, for example, Weinhaus Schüller at Kellergasse 12, Weingut Familie Braunstein at Hauptgasse 16 and Weinhof Leidl-Putz at Sätzgasse 13. These are possible places to visit, not a ranking of quality. A short route allowing time for conversation, a meal break and the walks between stops makes sense.
Understand the origins, keep an open mind about the vintage
Purbach is part of the Leithaberg wine landscape. Limestone and crystalline rocks such as mica schist shape the area; its important grape varieties include Blaufränkisch and white Burgundy varieties. This provides talking points beyond the question of which wine you like best: what soil did the grapes come from? Why was this wine matured in wood and that one in tank?
Anyone hoping to encounter the 2026 vintage should ask specifically which wines are already being presented and which are still in the cellar. The fact that the event takes place after the harvest does not imply either a comprehensive tasting of young wines or a basis for judging the vintage. Older wines can also help visitors understand how an estate works. No specific list of wines being poured has yet been confirmed.
A wine christening is scheduled for 2pm on Saturday between the two Türkentore gates. Those who would like to get to know the landscape first can set off on a guided vineyard walk at 10am on either day. According to the organiser’s leaflet, it starts at Kellerplatz, lasts around two and a half hours and costs nine euros; registration is required.
Arrive by train – and plan the journey home
For travel from Vienna, the published regular timetable offers a specific option: the direct REX64 leaves Central Station at 1.18pm and reaches Purbach am Neusiedlersee at 2.13pm. For the return journey, a direct REX64 is listed at 9.46pm, arriving in Vienna at 10.42pm. This leaves time to walk to the station after the cellars close, provided the final stop is chosen accordingly. These times are based on the regular timetable; short-notice changes remain possible.
According to the organiser, the two-day ticket costs 50 euros, including a 25-euro voucher towards wine purchases. Tickets are available at the Fischer family’s Stadl between the two Türkentore gates and at Weinhof Leidl-Putz; payment is cash only. Prices as at 5 November 2026.
A good plan for the visit also includes water, small tasting pours, a spittoon and a fixed meal break. Anyone wishing to avoid alcohol should arrange options with their chosen estates in advance. After all, the number of cellars visited is no measure of a successful afternoon – an illuminating conversation is rather more telling.
Original reviewed by the editors · 5 November 2026
