The 85-kilometer tourist route German Wine Route (Deutsche Weinstraße), also known as the German Wine Road, originates on the border with French Alsace. Passes through the Palatinate – the second largest wine region in Germany after Rheinhessen. The first grapes were cultivated here by the ancient Romans two thousand years ago, who appreciated the local sunny and mild climate.
Festive procession of winemakers in the city of Neustadt an der Weinstraße
From “riesling” to “kerner”
This popular tourist route is home to more than 40 towns and about 150 picturesque villages. Among the cultivated white varieties are “riesling”, “müller-thurgau”, “kerner”, “silvaner” and “grauburgunder”, among the red ones – “portugieser”, “spätburgunder” and “dornfelder”.
Information Center of the German Wine Route in Schweigen-Rechtenbach
Schweigen-Rechtenbach
The beginning of the German Wine Route in Schweigen-Rechtenbach is symbolically marked by a stone gate erected in 1936, and in the photo – a tourist information center opened here in 1995.
Riesling grape variety
Harvesting
The most interesting time in the Palatinate is in autumn during the harvest season. However, the local landscapes are conducive to walks at any time of the year. Gourmets can appreciate the excellent quality of the regional cuisine accompanied by Riesling or Sylvaner, the region’s most popular wines.
Dörrenbach in a 1965 photograph
Durrenbach
The wine-growing village of Dörrenbach is known as the “Sleeping Beauty of the Palatinate”. The main architectural attraction is the half-timbered town hall built in the Renaissance.
Vineyards and church in Birkweiler
Birkweiler
Birkweiler in 1985 won the competition for the right to be called the most beautiful village of the German Wine Route. This typical wine-producing settlement of the Palatinate was founded seven centuries ago. The area is ideal for walking through the vineyards. At the end of June, one of the oldest traditional wine festivals of this region takes place here.
In 2021, in the city of Neustadt an der Weinstraße, such a pedestrian traffic light with a wine queen appeared
wine queens
Every year in the Palatinate they choose their own Wine Queen and three Wine Princesses at once. The tradition began in 1931. At first, the powers of these queens extended to the whole of Germany, but gradually in other regions they began to choose and crown their own wine beauties.
Winery near Wachenheim
“German Tuscany”
The Palatinate is often referred to as “German Tuscany”. In any case, he may well compete with her in the number of hours of sunshine per year – 1800.
Blossoming almonds in a vineyard near Gimmeldingen
Almond
Already in March, the air in the Palatinate warms up to the temperature necessary for the start of almond blossoms. In autumn, at the time of the grape harvest, chestnuts also ripen here, which are a must-try, as well as the famous onion pie with young wine.
“Sausage market” (Wurstmarkt) – a wine festival in Bad Dürkheim
Bad Dürkheim
Bad Dürkheim hosts the world’s largest wine festival, in which up to 600,000 people participate. The site also houses Germany’s largest wine barrel, although wine has never been poured into it. There is a whole restaurant inside. Above the town is the medieval castle of Hardenburg.
Bottles of sparkling wine in one of the cellars
Wine Vault
Tourists traveling along the German Wine Route can follow the process of making wine from beginning to end. From vineyards, harvesting, juicing and all the way to bottling. It is also worth visiting one of the cooper workshops.
By the glass – overlooking the city
Neustadt
We conclude our review of the German Wine Route with this postcard from 1910. The city of Neustadt an der Weinstrasse is one of the main centers of German winemaking. In the center is a lively market square with a baroque town hall and a gothic church. Visitors to the city are also advised to take a ride on the 13-kilometer “Kukushkina” narrow-gauge railway – Kuckucksbähnel, and also visit Hambach Castle.