When the leaves change colour and the harvest season ends, it is also the time for autumn markets and wine festivals – some of which go back a long way.
Long-standing tradition
The harvest festival is a custom, which stems from a time when the harvest was quite meaningful. People were indeed very dependent on a good harvest. Both secular and religious aspects played a role in the festivities.
On the other hand, there are also various autumn markets (“Herbstmärkte”) where visitors can experience culinary and creative diversity in an atmospheric setting. During a leisurely stroll through the market, visitors can enjoy a diverse range of tempting offers.
For example, every year on the penultimate weekend in October, the traditional “Katharinenmarkt” – Oppenheim’s oldest market – invites visitors to take an autumnal stroll through Oppenheim’s old town. The Katharinenmarkt has a very long tradition in Oppenheim. What was then an essential place to spend the “autumn money” on winter supplies has remained a tradition to this day – only nowadays it’s more about strolling, lingering and enjoying.
Endless possibilities
Then, there are also festivals that celebrate wine and the new vintages – Rheinhessen is, after all, a wine region!
The list of these festivals could go on endlessly. Every year, every small town celebrates the wine in the streets, squares and alleys, but there are some communities that think even bigger: They dress up in historical costumes, organise splendid parades and hire local music groups, sometimes even setting up rides and fireworks to bring you closer to the local wines and the local culture.
The Rheinhessen wine and tourism associations have awarded the seal of approval for excellent quality to a selected few. Among them is the “Binger Winzerfest” (winegrower festival). It is the longest-running festival of its kind. Visitors can discover the diversity of vines and soils from no less than four wine-growing regions! One of the highlights is the music-synchronised fireworks from the illuminated Castle Klopp.
The “Ingelheim Rotweinfest” is one of the most beautiful wine festivals in Rheinhessen. Since 2014, with the award of the seal “Excellent Wine Festival”, this has also been official. The “red wine town” is the only wine region in Rheinhessen that grows predominantly red grapes. Guests can taste a rich product variety of red, white and rosé wines as well as secco and sparkling wines from the excellent vineyards of Ingelheim. Of course, there is also culinary accompaniment and live music – all in the midst of the historic castle walls of the “Burgkirche”.
Cosy atmosphere at the Ingelheim red wine festival. Credit: Martin Kämper/Rheinhessenwein e.V
Other traditional celebrations of the wine harvest are the “Winzerfest Alzey” (winegrower festival Alzey) – which has been existing for 83 years – or the “Fest des jungen Weins” (feast of the young wine) in Gau-Algesheim. Whether you visit one or the other: the Rheinhessen way of life – cordiality and hospitality – will make you feel right at home!
The best of Rheinhessen
A must for wine lovers in the Rhine-Main region and beyond is the “Weinforum Rheinhessen”, which always takes place in October in Mainz. It is the biggest wine tasting event in Mainz. Visitors can look forward to many excellent wines and sparkling wines at this traditional tasting – this year in the 34th edition – including the current winning wines from the state wine awards.
The annual wine forum is a Mecca for wine lovers from Rheinhessen and beyond. Credit: Marcus Steinbruecker
Excellent wine festivals in Rheinhessen
Herbstmärkte Rheinhessen – Autumn Markets