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Travel

Along the German Wine Route

Autumn is the ideal time for a trip along the Wine Route. The world's oldest wine tourism route leads over 85 kilometers through a sea of vines in the Palatinate region - from Schweigen-Rechtenbach to Bockenheim.

Breathtakingly beautiful

With over 23,0000 hectares, the Palatinate - known locally as the Pfalz - is the second largest wine-growing region in Germany. There are about 4000 wine growers, most of whom work in family-run businesses. Their special knowhow has long made Palatinate wine famous. Indeed, wines from the region were served at the opening of the Suez Canal, and were favorites on the decks of luxury ocean liners.
Riesling rules!

The king of German wines: Riesling. Nowhere else in the world does the white wine variety thrive as well as in Germany. And Pfalz is the main producer. Here riesling wines are cultivated on nearly 6000 hectares and are available at all levels of quality and style, from table to premium, from very dry to rather sweet.
Her Majesty the Wine Queen

Every autumn, the German Wine Queen is elected in Neustadt on Wine Street. For one year she represents German wine at home and abroad. One of her first official acts is to participate in Germany's largest wine festival, the Weinlesefest in Neustadt. The queen waves and 100,000 spectators wave back.
Wine from the vintner

This area is also home to a kind of pop-up wine bar - known as a Straußwirtschaft. On certain days in the year, usually between April and November, vintners open their farms and serve their own wine - and only their wine. In addition they offer small, simple snacks. You can recognize these temporary wine bars by a sign like this - or by a broom attached to the facade.
Through forest and vines

The Pfälzer Weinsteig hiking trail runs parallel to the wine route. The hiking trail features forests and vineyards, castles and vantage points, wine-growing estates and romantic villages. With its detours, it is much longer than the Wine Route - it measures 172 kilometers. You should be able to complete them in 11 daily stages. Provided you don't make too many stops at the wineries.
Steeped in German history

If you walk the Pfälzer Weinsteig, you will pass the cradle of German democracy, Hambach Castle. The Hambach Festival took place there in 1832, a protest march for democracy and a united Germany. It is regarded as the beginning of the democracy movement in Germany. The black-red-gold flag was waved at the castle for the first time in history before it later became the German flag.
From castle to castle

On the hilltops of the Palatinate Forest, the foothills of which border the wine route to the west, there are several castle ruins. Most of them date back to the time of the Salians and Staufers who ruled there. The most famous is Trifels Castle, where the imperial jewels of the German emperors were kept for centuries - and King Richard I, known as Richard the Lionheart, was imprisoned.
Like Tuscany

The Palatinate belonged to Bavaria between 1816 and 1956. Dating from this time is the Villa Ludwigshöhe, the summer residence of King Ludwig I. Perhaps he thought to himself: Why travel to Tuscany when I have the Palatinate on my front doorstep! And he created a heavenly idyll that the public can visit today.
In the realm of gourmets

The people of the Palatinate are considered to be people of pleasure. And so there are also delicious treats for tourists. Whether as part a culinary vineyard walk (pictured), or wine tastings at vineyards or in vinotheques. Even in the woods, no one has to forego enjoyment. Numerous managed cabins also invite you to take a hearty break.
Sausage and wine

The Dürkheimer Wurstmarkt in Bad Dürkheim attracts 600,000 visitors and is regarded as the largest wine festival in the world. It has its roots in the 12th century, when the people of Dürkheim had the idea to provide pilgrims with food and drink. This developed into a medieval consumer market, which eventually grew into a folk festival. The name refers to the Palatinate's second passion - sausage.
German Wine Gate

The wine gate marks the beginning or the end of the German wine route, depending on where one starts. It is located in Schweigen-Rechtenbach, directly on the French border. It was built in 1935 by Hitler's National Socialists, just as the wine route can be traced back to them. It was invented to market the region to tourists.

Breathtakingly beautiful

With over 23,0000 hectares, the Palatinate - known locally as the Pfalz - is the second largest wine-growing region in Germany. There are about 4000 wine growers, most of whom work in family-run businesses. Their special knowhow has long made Palatinate wine famous. Indeed, wines from the region were served at the opening of the Suez Canal, and were favorites on the decks of luxury ocean liners.
Riesling rules!

The king of German wines: Riesling. Nowhere else in the world does the white wine variety thrive as well as in Germany. And Pfalz is the main producer. Here riesling wines are cultivated on nearly 6000 hectares and are available at all levels of quality and style, from table to premium, from very dry to rather sweet.
Her Majesty the Wine Queen

Every autumn, the German Wine Queen is elected in Neustadt on Wine Street. For one year she represents German wine at home and abroad. One of her first official acts is to participate in Germany's largest wine festival, the Weinlesefest in Neustadt. The queen waves and 100,000 spectators wave back.
Wine from the vintner

This area is also home to a kind of pop-up wine bar - known as a Straußwirtschaft. On certain days in the year, usually between April and November, vintners open their farms and serve their own wine - and only their wine. In addition they offer small, simple snacks. You can recognize these temporary wine bars by a sign like this - or by a broom attached to the facade.
Through forest and vines

The Pfälzer Weinsteig hiking trail runs parallel to the wine route. The hiking trail features forests and vineyards, castles and vantage points, wine-growing estates and romantic villages. With its detours, it is much longer than the Wine Route - it measures 172 kilometers. You should be able to complete them in 11 daily stages. Provided you don't make too many stops at the wineries.
Steeped in German history

If you walk the Pfälzer Weinsteig, you will pass the cradle of German democracy, Hambach Castle. The Hambach Festival took place there in 1832, a protest march for democracy and a united Germany. It is regarded as the beginning of the democracy movement in Germany. The black-red-gold flag was waved at the castle for the first time in history before it later became the German flag.
From castle to castle

On the hilltops of the Palatinate Forest, the foothills of which border the wine route to the west, there are several castle ruins. Most of them date back to the time of the Salians and Staufers who ruled there. The most famous is Trifels Castle, where the imperial jewels of the German emperors were kept for centuries - and King Richard I, known as Richard the Lionheart, was imprisoned.
Like Tuscany

The Palatinate belonged to Bavaria between 1816 and 1956. Dating from this time is the Villa Ludwigshöhe, the summer residence of King Ludwig I. Perhaps he thought to himself: Why travel to Tuscany when I have the Palatinate on my front doorstep! And he created a heavenly idyll that the public can visit today.
In the realm of gourmets

The people of the Palatinate are considered to be people of pleasure. And so there are also delicious treats for tourists. Whether as part a culinary vineyard walk (pictured), or wine tastings at vineyards or in vinotheques. Even in the woods, no one has to forego enjoyment. Numerous managed cabins also invite you to take a hearty break.
Sausage and wine

The Dürkheimer Wurstmarkt in Bad Dürkheim attracts 600,000 visitors and is regarded as the largest wine festival in the world. It has its roots in the 12th century, when the people of Dürkheim had the idea to provide pilgrims with food and drink. This developed into a medieval consumer market, which eventually grew into a folk festival. The name refers to the Palatinate's second passion - sausage.
German Wine Gate

The wine gate marks the beginning or the end of the German wine route, depending on where one starts. It is located in Schweigen-Rechtenbach, directly on the French border. It was built in 1935 by Hitler's National Socialists, just as the wine route can be traced back to them. It was invented to market the region to tourists.

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Date 02.11.2018
Number of pictures 11
Author Anne Termèche
Related Subjects German Wine Route , Riesling
Keywords German Wine Route, Hambach Castle, Neustadt, Riesling
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SPECIAL

TV programs

German Courses

German XXL

Community D

Teaching German

Travel

Along the German Wine Route

Breathtakingly beautiful

Riesling rules!

Her Majesty the Wine Queen

Wine from the vintner

Through forest and vines

Steeped in German history

From castle to castle

Like Tuscany

In the realm of gourmets

Sausage and wine

German Wine Gate