The little village of Grinzing is first mentioned in records in 1114. it was destroyed by the Turks in 1529 and there was a great fire in 1604. the village was destroyed again by the Turks in 1683, and in 1809 by the French. Nowadays there is another type of destruction caused by the erection of buildings on the vineyards. In order to counter this building it is possible for individuals to purchase 1 sq. m (1 sq. yd) of land with a vine and the right to the produce. Prominent owners of Grinzing vines include the Pope, Dalia Lama, Jimmy Carter and Sophia Loren. With its old houses and lanes, nestling in gardens and vineyards, the name Grizing still to many people all over the world is synonymous with “Viennese Heurige”. The word “Heurige” has two meanings: wine made from grapes most recently gathered and thus new wine, but also the place where that wine is drunk. Establishments which are open place bhranches of spruce over their entrances, and the sign is hung out. Genuine “Heurige” serve only their own wine, and they are open each year for only from three weeks to a maximum of six months. The large “Heurige” in Grinzing and the so-called “Nobel Heurige” are for the most part only pseudo-Heurige. They serve hot and cold meals and their wines often come from lower Austria. An evening in one of the winegardens with a glass of wine surrounded by the wonderful countryside among the vineyards is certainly to be recommended as are walks around nearby Kahlenberg and Leopoldsberg.