The South Styrian Wine Road runs through the hills south of Leibnitz toward the Slovenian border, winding through a landscape of steep terraced vineyards that produces some of Austria's most acclaimed white wines. Sauvignon Blanc is the flagship grape, and the best examples have an intensity and minerality that reflects the region's particular combination of soil types.
Leibnitz is the practical base for driving the route. The road is well-signposted and the distances are modest — the core wine area extends about 20 kilometres south through Leutschach to Arnfels. Many of the small family estates along the route offer tastings, and the Buschenschanken (farm taverns) are the authentic way to spend an afternoon: a glass of wine, a cold platter, and views over the vines.