Nature & Outdoor Activities
German Wine Route – a symphony of grapes
The 85-kilometre German Wine Route has been meandering its way through the Palatinate from the German Wine Gate in Schweigen-Rechtenbach on the French border to Bockenheim in the north of the country since 1935.
In the Palatinate, a region famed for its sublime Riesling production, almond trees boast pretty pink blossom in the spring, kiwis, figs and lemons flourish and mighty oleander bushes fill farms and gardens during the summer months, and a sun-soaked, aromatic sea of vines cries out to be harvested and delicious regional specialities come into their own in the autumn. All of this and more makes the German Wine Route a wonderfully indulgent journey for all the senses. Fine wines from renowned wine-growing locations can be sampled in outdoor arbours, on the side of the road, in tasting rooms and at the countless wine bars along the way.
The Dürkheim Barrel is one top tourist attraction on the route, which winds through the narrow wine-growing villages and meanders through the vineyards. With a volume of 1.7 million litres and space for around 650 people, it is the largest barrel in the world. These days, it is used as a venue where guests can enjoy wine tasting sessions and fine dining. The list of wine-related events of all scales on the calendar is almost as long as the Wine Route itself.