Austrian Hike

As we stood at the crossorad of a decision I pointed out that if we went downhill like the trail marker indicated, we would be heading way down there. Dark green forested valleys which the vineyards plunge vertically down into. Thats not a problem except we have to hike out of there to get back here. Indecision and off we went down hill. Skirting the vineyards dangling their treasured grapes, ripe for the picking in a few days. Out we pop into a gorgeous Austrian flower bedecked home. we have stumbled on a treasere called TRABOS.( www.trabos.au) The owner is tending her flowers and comes to say hello. She has a rose leaf on her chest and wears a long Austrian dress.
In the courtyard of their establishment is a building leading to their wine making operation. across the courtyard is their cafe. Behind this a big garage and home. Brillant multi colored flower baskets decorate every wondow and legde. she has won awards for her flowers. Around the corner are half round wine barrels filled with vegtables and herbs. Their 18 hecters is surrounded by row after row of grapes. She advises us to continue on the trail as it will lead back to Adam-Leiligs where we are staying. Down we go past a large pond. The terrain levels out as we follow a small stream through along a forested road. Equisetum an ancient plant called hors tail blankets the forest ground. across the road we hike as bicyclests and motorcylests speed along on theis sunny day. We start ascending but it is not leading us toward our home. A quick look at the map shows we have many more hours of hiking if we continue on. Dead reconing we walk along the road, hopping the guard rail when cars come zooming by. Along a pasture we turn off the road and start climbing back up the forested hill. We arrive at an old home. it cement water trough serving water to bee's. Apple trees hang laden with fruit. A grass worn path starts up the hill. Up we go. We pass 2 children playing outdoors. Back into the vineyards as we near the crest of the hill we find outselves perfectly back at Adam-Leiligs. Yipee lets go to Trabos for a late lunch/dinner. Muuuumm Kranichsalat! Great Cuvee Josef wine. After our meal Josef Trabos himself shows us his wine making operation and pariently answers our questions via Margrit and Sascha's interpretstion.

Austrian Food and Wine

A wine conesour I am not. But when Carole and Bob say "you have to taste this, it is the best we have ever had"... yes it was so smooth. I could get used to this.
The castle Schloss Seegau had a very nice white Chardoney reserve wine. We toured their celler. Huge barrels towerd over our heads. The front covers were carved with dates and pictures of the castle. The wine guy brought out various taste trials set on a old wine barrel table as the sun set throught the trees.
Next day we stopped at Peter Skoff's. Pulled in as the elder matron and her wet but happy black and white bird hunting dog greeted us at the door. usshered in she stopped a fussball game while her grandson asked if we wanted to sample the full 20 wines or a smaller assortment. I think I liked their gewirtstrameiner ( spelling). I was quite pleased I could walk a straight line back to the car.
The following day or so we were hiking through hill and dale when we happened across a gem. TRABOS! www.trabos.at - Beautiful flower arrangements from every window, door and nook. The owner was happily trimming some flowers when she stopped to recieve our admiring comments. A rose petal adorned her chest. She sent us on down through her vineyards on a hike to the netherlands. We returned for a late afternoon lunch and tour of their wine facility. Joseph Trabos started farming in 74 with 18 hecters. Mostly cows and 4 hecters of wine. in 87 he went full vineyard. Stainless steel fermenting towers crowd his work area. A bottler and crusher. He bottles 65,000 bottles a year. In a few days he will begin picking for grape juice. He hopes the next 2 weeks are sunny. Going to Hawaii would be a dream! Carole and Bob liked his Cuvee'Josef. I loved their "Kranachsalat" UMMMMMM lettus,tomatoes,cucumber,bell ppepper with thin strios of a white cheese and a turkey. A few bacon strips on top and a egg. Salad dressing is the wonderful pumpkin oil type vinegrette which this area is famous for. It is a emeral green in color.