WU alumna Katharina Baumgartner has been awarded the Brigitte Bierlein Women’s Award  2025, recognizing her as Austria’s most successful woman under the age of 35.

Baumgartner, aged 27, is the first woman ever to head Domäne Baumgartner, Austria’s largest winery, located in the Pulkautal valley, which has been run by her family for 12 generations. She has made a name for herself in the industry with her innovative spirit, entrepreneurial instincts, and as a bridge builder between tradition and the modern age. “As a young woman in a male-dominated industry, people tended to sell me short. But I proved them wrong with my expertise, enthusiasm, innovative spirit, and determined work,“ says Baumgartner.

The award is named after Austria’s first female chancellor, who is a great inspiration to Katharina Baumgartner: “Brigitte Bierlein has always been a huge role model for me. With her calm composure, grace, deep knowledge, and her sense of style, she was a true pioneer in many areas.”

Foto-Copyright: BKA/Florian Schroetter