Rheinhessen is one of the Great Wine Capitals of the world. Being a member of such an exclusive club is a great honour and entails great responsibility as well. One of the reasons we are part of the network is our rich history that evolves around the winegrowing heritage of our region. Out of this long tradition springs a great variety of local customs, historical sights and activities. Whether you are looking for adventure, relaxation, wine experiences or exquisite cuisine – you will find it in Rheinhessen. In this episode, we take a look at the highlights of several sub regions of our Great Wine Capital.
Oppenheim: Artificial caves and magic moments
One of the magical caves under Oppenheim.
Oppenheim is a romantic little town in the Rhine valley that features an old city centre and many charming cafés. However, there is more to Oppenheim than meets the eye. Underneath the city lies an extensive network of artificial caves and tunnels that stretches for miles. These dark and mysterious tunnels give testimony to the town’s busy past as a trading post on the Rhine River.
Hundreds of years ago, Oppenheim was an important trading hub on the Rhine. Local business was booming and lots of goods entered the city from the river port. To store them, the locals went underground and dug miles of tunnels and caves into the soft rock. When trade on the Rhine declined, this maze was slowly forgotten. It wasn’t until the 20th century that many of the tunnels were rediscovered. Today, many of the tunnels are restored and open to the public. Visitors can take part in a guided tour through the tunnel network or book certain caves for events like birthday parties.
Ingelheim: The home of horses and aristocratic Pinot Noir
In Ingelheim, horses and wine go together perfectly.
Rheinhessen is Germany’s premier wine region. Its potential was discovered very early on, when the Romans settled in the area and founded cities like Mainz. They introduced advanced winemaking and planted the first vineyards. In medieval times, the area was already a famous wine region and the local wine was popular with aristocrats. Today, this aristocratic love for wine lives on at the Westerhaus castle near Ingelheim. Count Phillip Schönbuch-Glauchau and his wife own the 16th century castle. Together they breed horses and produce excellent wines. Visitors are always welcome to visit the manor and to try their Pinot Noir and Riesling wines. Whenever you pass the stately manor near Ingelheim, look out for the large wooden gate that leads to the castle. If the gate is open, you are free to enter.
Hundertguldenmühle is a local favourite to wine and dine.
Appenheim: stellar cuisine from local ingredients
Rheinhessen is a place where you can enjoy world-class cuisine. One of the best-known restaurants is Hundertguldenmühle near Mainz. Here Eva Eppard and her team run the restaurant in a romantic little stone-walled house surrounded by forests and fields. These picturesque surroundings influence the menu, which captures the very best from garden, field and local rivers and forests. For example, guests can enjoy home-grown vegetables from the restaurant’s own garden, like potatoes, celeriac and horseradish. The restaurant cooperates with local farmers to bring the best seasonal vegetables to the table. In addition, Hundertguldenmühle works with local hunters and fishermen that supply game and fish. This authentic and down to earth mentality results in the real Rheinhessen taste.
Köngernheim: The romantic heart of Rheinhessen
Relax and recharge at Jordans Untermühle in Rheinhessen.
At the heart of Rheinhessen lies a very special hotel with historic charm and contemporary luxury. Situated in Köngernheim, Jordans Untermühle is an exquisite and unconventional location. Twenty years ago, the Jordan family has transformed the 17th century building into an exquisitely modern hotel while keeping the charming features such as the half-timbered main building. The result is a hotel with exceptional style and great comfort. The hotel features a swimming pool, yoga classes and a variety of relaxing massages. Because in Rheinhessen wine is considered mandatory for personal well-being, Jordans Untermühle offers a range of wine-related activities. Especially worth mentioning is the wine-focused spa package for couples. All this qualifies Jordans Untermühle as one of the most romantic and exclusive wine hotels in Rheinhessen.
Rheinhessen roundtrip: Historic car tour around Rheinhessen
The Kultour means traveling through Rheinhessen in style.
Sometimes, the drive to a location can be more rewarding than the location itself. The Rheinhessen Kultour was established with exactly this wisdom in mind. The Kultour is all about historic cars, wine and fun. In this automotive Rheinhessen adventure, you visit six different wineries in your historic car and collect a bottle of wine at each stop. However, you don’t drink and drive, but rather drive first and drink later. Between the stops, you can enjoy the twisting backroads and the amazing views of the Rheinhessen landscape. The main point is getting there in style, not getting there fast. This is an amazing way to visit Rheinhessen’s finest wineries. However you approach the Kultour, it is a memorable event and there is no better way to spend a pleasant afternoon if you love wine and cars.
Spending time in Rheinhessen can be challenging, because there is so much to see and experience. Whether you go underground in Oppenheim, see horses and wine in Ingelheim or drive around Rheinhessen in an historic automobile, there are plenty of things to see and to do. It’s Rheinhessen’s variety that truly makes it a Great Wine Capital!
Further information:
Learn more about Mainz | Rheinhessen Great Wine Capital