Spending some time around Germany’s Great Wine Capital Mainz in Summer? Make sure you visit a winemaker’s party! Here’s which ones to go to!
With a new generation of winemakers at the barrels in Rheinhessen and Nahe there is clearly an up on the party side: Whether on their own, or teaming up with friendly competitors, winemakers open up their estates to friends and anybody keen on a refreshing summernight. You can hardly go more local – you’ll meet hardcore fans of the estates, taste great wines and snack on regional specialties. Also expect life music or a dj to spin some tunes.
The parties listed hereunder are no more than 40 minutes driving distance from Mainz and do not require prior registration or ticket purchases. We provide links to each estate – despite most sites being in English all wine estates take huge pride in welcoming international guests. If you need help getting organised, do contact us.
The parties listed hereunder are no more than 40 minutes driving distance from Mainz and do not require prior registration or ticket purchases. We provide links to each estate – despite most sites being in English all wine estates take huge pride in welcoming international guests. If you need help getting organised, do contact us.
July 2017 – Wine-estate parties in Rheinhessen
Don’t miss the parties at wine estates Riffel (Weingut Riffel – Sommerfest July 21-24, starting 8 pm ) and Bettenheimer (Weingut J Bettenheimer – Hoffest, July 22-23, starting 5 pm). Both feature life bands. We are big fan of the Rieslings at Riffel, and the Pinots at Bettenheimer. The timing and location lend themselves very much to party-hop on Saturday or Sunday… launch your tour in Mainz, doing Bettenheimer first and Riffel afterwards or vice versa.
If you are not sure how to go – this is not exactly in Mainz city center after all – or with whom to go: We are planning a tour with a nice bunch of English speakers, and will be very happy to have you joining. Just reach out.
August 2017 – Wine-estate parties in Rheinhessen
Who says August was a slow month?
Not-to-be-missed if you are around: wine estate Eva Vollmer wine picnics have almost cult-status amongst followers. Taking place in the gardens of the estate, each event has a slightly different topic: On August 4th Eva will be hosting a bbq together with some friendly competitors bringing their wines, too. And on September 1st you are welcome to bring your own picnic to match it to the vines Eva will be presenting. Don’t miss out tasting Vollmer’s red wine made from the most German varietal Dornfelder (Weingut Eva Vollmer , 10 mins south of Mainz).
Second weekend of August wine estate Salm in the Nahe region will be opening its historic gates for a slightly different wine-fest: how about Burgers + Fries + Fun Wines at their ‘Carnival in the Castle’? (Weingut Prinz Salm , Kirmes im Schloss, 40 mins West of Mainz, August 11-14 ).
Next, world renown estate Gunderloch will be inaugurating its new buildings on the historic estate. (Weingut Gunderloch, ‘Neubaueinweihung’, 18-20 August, 20 mins South of Mainz).
Don’t miss the event ‘Tage der offenen Weinkeller’ in Siefersheim, where 5 winemakers will open their gates for you. You will definitely want to drop by at the particularly pretty estate of Wagner Stempel and sample some of their gorgeous wines. (Weingut Wagner-Stempel, 25-28 of August).
Same weekend wine maker Dautermann will be amongst the hosts of ‘Berg Under Vibes’ – a winemakers events al fresco with live music and bbq (25-27th of August, Berg under Vibes).
End of August, spend some time at the Mainzer Weinmarkt! This is one of the oldest Winefests of the region with some 40 winemakers participating. We cannot recommend any particular stand to visit or a must-attend activity at the Weinmarkt, we think this is a very easy-to-visit event in the city center of Mainz – a good chance to make some discoveries amongst internationally lesser known estate (Weekends of August 24th and 31st).
Enjoy your summer with the winemakers and stay tuned for a listing of recommended events in autumn and winter!
Also find here a list of recommended regional events.
All listed events, dates and locations are based on publicly available information from the hosting estates. The listings are correct at the time of publications, yet changes might occur. Contact us to reconfirm or do reach out directly to the hosting estates.
