Winzer Krems – Sandgrube 13 wein.sinn

About the museum

Viticulture has shaped Krems for almost two thousand years. The first quality vine is said to have been planted in the 3rd century under the Roman emperor Probus, and the vineyard site "Kremser Sandgrube" is mentioned as early as the 11th century. The Kremser Hauerinnung (winegrowers' guild) was founded in 1447 and is regarded as the oldest winegrowers' guild in the German-speaking world; the cooperative WINZER KREMS emerged from it in 1938.

Parts of the winery in the Sandgrube belonged until 1938 to the Jewish wine merchant Paul Robitschek; after the Anschluss of Austria they were "Aryanised" and acquired by the cooperative in 1939. The restitution proceedings of 1948 ended in 1949 with a settlement, and the Documentation Centre of Austrian Resistance researched this history scientifically from 2018 to 2020. In 1961 a well-known wine brand, "Kremser Schmidt", was introduced; from 2003 to 2005 a new fermentation and maturation cellar and a new pressing station were built. Today WINZER KREMS is the largest wine producer in Austria.

A visitor area was set up at Sandgrube 13 and is run as the wine experience "SANDGRUBE 13 wein.sinn". The tour combines vineyard, vintage wine store, barrique cellar, cellar cinema and a hologram station with tastings and leads to the farm shop. It is only possible with a guide and is one of the top excursion destinations in Lower Austria.

Highlights

• Wein.Garten with Hiata hut and view of Göttweig Abbey
• Wein.Schatz: vintage wines going back to the 1946 vintage
• Barrique cellar with wine altar and oil painting by Karl Korab
• Cellar cinema with 270-degree film
• Wein.Kosmos with 3D holograms
• Three wine tastings and farm shop at the end of the tour

Permanent exhibition

• SANDGRUBE 13 wein.sinn – Erlebnis-Rundgang – Guided tour in eight stations from vineyard and vintage wine store through barrique cellar, 270-degree cellar cinema and holograms to the farm shop, with three wine tastings.

Founded

1938

Operated by

WINZER KREMS eG

Admission & discounts

Admission includes the guided tour of about one hour and three wine tastings with pastries. Free admission with the Niederösterreich-Card (not for groups), discounts when visiting partner businesses. Group packages together with partners in the region (including Kunstmeile Krems, Dürnstein Abbey) on request.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The tour is wheelchair and pushchair accessible, and seven of the eight stations are weatherproof. Dogs are not permitted, except assistance dogs for people with disabilities. From the vinotheque cellar, a cellar lift leads barrier-free to the vineyards.

Kids & families

• Stroller-friendly

Children and young people under 16 years have free admission (tour without wine tastings); the tour is pushchair accessible.

Getting there & parking

Outside the city bus operating hours, the shared taxi on demand (AST) runs every 30 minutes along lines 1 to 7 (book at least 30 minutes in advance, +43 2732 81082); Rufbus Wachau +43 800 22 23 22 (register up to 60 minutes before departure).

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Farm shop with wine, Wachau chocolate and apricot brandy at the end of the tour.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 120 guests.

Festival hall (201 m², 113 people, divisible), Göttweig.Degustationsraum (tasting room; up to 24 people, 270-degree view of the vineyards) and Vinothekkeller Bründlgraben with event vault (up to 120 standing places, civil weddings possible) as well as Kellerstüberl.

Plan your visit