Wooden Garden Bench

Going 'Heuriger' Hopping

It was a warm evening in early June as a friend and I climbed down from the bus at the top of the Kahlenberg, an ancient mountain 484 meters high, in the northeastern foothills of the Alps. Here from the broad terraces of the tourism university Modul, the entire city of Vienna lays spread out before you, and on the clearest days even parts of Lower Austria. There is nothing lovable about this pristine complex that replaced an older restaurant and abandoned hotel on the site; the new construction is too barren, too Bauhaus for many. But at least it doesn’t block the view.

It was now just after 18:00 and a pleasant-sized crowd has gathered on the terrace; the gentle sounds of laughter and conversation floated over the light breeze and we were tempted to stop for a first drink under one of the umbrellas.

But we had other plans: We were going Heuriger-hopping!

So we peeled of to the right, following the stony path down the mountain on a self-fashioned ‘watering tour’ of several of our favorite haunts, where we would sample this year’s local wines served by the vintners themselves, according to Austria’s beloved tradition consecrated by more than two centuries of pleasure. And in the process we would also get to imbibe the lush scents, sounds and scenes of the Wienerwald in Spring.

There are two routes down, the easier, a well-paved road that snakes its way by hairpin turns through woods and wine fields (a favorite training route of mad mountain bikers, whom one passes straining through the masochistic exercise of actually riding up the hill!); the other is a much steeper foot path, marked by a wooden “Wanderweg” sign, that turns into stone steps at the sharpest places. Sheltered, serene and splendid for the legs!

As we emerged from the woods and back onto the road, we could see the yellow facades of a villa in Nußdorf down past the vineyards to our right; to the left when there is a break in the trees, a glimpse of the church spire in Kahlenbergerdorf.

A little farther on, the road splits and we turn off to the left and head for Heuriger Hirt. This is a favorite, owned and run by Helmut and Romy Klapf, tucked into a fold in the hillside with a view up to the castle of Leopoldsberg above, and down to the river in the middle-distance below. This is a no-frills Heuriger, with only a small inside seating area with the rough wooden charm of a hunter’s cabin and the far more generous outside seating, partially sheltered under open sheds. So hopes were high… until we arrive at the final turn… Closed on Tuesdays. Sigh. So be warned.

How to Choose a Wood Garden Bench - Best Outdoor Woods |

Outdoor furniture is more than just a spot to lounge on lazy summer days. A beautiful bench can become a focal point in your landscaping, or a destination on your walks. The design may speak to you in tones ornate or austere, rustic or refined. Well-made wooden garden benches can last a lifetime. That’s why it’s important to choose furniture based not just on price, but also on aesthetics, purpose, and personality.

Personality? Yes, even furniture can project characteristics to be admired. Sometimes, a piece of furniture has personality embedded in its purpose. Outside storage benches , for instance, exude functionality, as they help their owners keep the garden looking neat and tidy. Personality may reveal itself through design, which may be old-fashioned, elegant, or no-nonsense. When choosing outdoor furniture that reflects your style, it’s important to consider the type of wood that went into its making. Here are the personalities of some of the wood you’re likely to meet in a stroll through the garden.

Quick growing and abundant, friendly and warm, acacia enjoys its role as an inexpensive wood that brings the joy of a garden bench to those on limited budgets. It wants to fit in with your other furniture and your house, so it begs you to stain it or paint it to match. It always emphasizes the positive, so it rejects negative concepts like rot and decay. It’s so welcoming that it even allows in the occasional termite or furniture beetle, so it’s important to protect it from bad company. This gregarious wood doesn’t like to be alone – it’s happiest when providing the setting for a lively conversation among friends.

Cedar relishes its commonplace status as a durable and lightweight wood. It is loyal and hardworking, rejecting insects and rot so that it can be there for you when you need it. This wood is so generous that it’s easy to forget that it has needs, too. Without a yearly application of sealant, cedar becomes rough to the touch. Its soft grain retains the dings and dents of abuse. Although cedar doesn’t mind its status as the go-to wood for picnic tables and sturdy garden benches, it will proudly pull out the family photo album to show you the red cedar relative that became a stunning porch swing.

This wood is the polar opposite of Acacia. It would never even think of associating with insects, and it exudes a natural preservative to let rot know who’s boss. Where Acacia invites, Cypress rejects almost everything, including shrinking, warping, and swelling. When the elements come calling, cypress turns its back on rain and sun, snow and sleet. It disdains the need for paint or stain. Cypress prefers to age naturally, without make-up or facelifts. Its low-maintenance nature makes it the perfect choice for people who don’t have the time and energy to worry about the garden furniture’s feelings.

American Woodworker

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