Germany’s 7 most interesting wine destinations

Germany’s top wines come from its most beautiful nooks and crannies, where steep hillsides expose grapes to the sun and rivers bring richness to the soil – even in the dead of winter. We’ve handpicked the most charming wine towns across the country, so you can plan your next wine getaway with ease. Prost!

Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden

In Freiburg im Breisgau, small streams crisscross the streets, where university students stroll beneath medieval houses and Gothic cathedrals. This vibrant village in the Black Forest is beloved for its delicious wine, best savoured in the many wine bars and restaurants around town.

Baden is Germany’s warmest and sunniest wine region, so its wines are comparable to France’s Loire Valley or Alsace. The diversity of the soil means there’s a wide range of grapes and styles – prepare to sample plenty on your vineyard visits. After a day in the sun and the vines, the comfy rooms of Park Hotel Post invite a good night’s sleep.

Deidesheim, Palatinate

Deidesheim is one of the prettiest wine villages in the Palatinate (or Pflaz), a region known for dry, full-bodied whites. Half-timbered houses line its narrow streets, where wineries and Michelin-starred restaurants serve up rich, powerful Rieslings.

The thick forest surrounding the village has many hiking trails, where you can take in the scenery between meals. If you’re lucky enough to be here in August, the Deidesheimer Weinkerwe is a spectacular wine fair where you can sample the best the region has to offer. To be strolling distance from town, stay the night in the quiet rooms of Gästehaus Deidesheim.

Bad Neuenahr-Arwheiller, Ahr Valley

The Ahr Valley is Germany’s best-kept secret when it comes to producing juicy, drinkable pinot noir. Tightly rowed vineyards tumble down the hills into the valley, where the Ahr river winds and rushes. On its banks, the village of Bad Neuhanr-Arwheiller beckons with curing mineral springs and candlelit restaurants.

In between glasses of refreshing reds and rosés, the rotweinwanderweg (red wine walking path) links each of the tiny wine villages, from Bad-Neuhanr to Dernau and Althenar, while cyclists can follow the river along forests and rocky cliffs. Finish your days at the aptly named Romantik Hotel Sanct Peter, in Arwheiller’s charming medieval centre.

Nierstein, Rheinhessen

Nierstein is a tiny village on the Rhine known for producing some of the best whites in Rheinhessen. The rich, riverside soil creates complex flavours – it’s even nicknamed the Red Slope for the red slate found there – and the wines share a delicate, fragrant minerality.

The town comes to life with wine events during summer, like the International Cultural Festival in July and the Winegrowers’ Festival in August, and many wineries hold open houses in mid-September. But no matter the season, the regional specialties pair perfectly with a bottle of white. Try Spundekäs, a creamy cheese dip – or just opt for the wine directly in your dish with a Riesling Soup. If you’re spending the night, Best Western Wein-und Parkhotel is a top choice among wine lovers.

Bacharach, Mittelrhein

Bacharach is named after the god of wine – and with a winery on every corner, it lives up to the title. Its half-timbered houses are draped in grapevines, medieval doors opening to fine restaurants where hearty dishes are served alongside local vintages.
Like most of Mittelrhein, Bacharach is famed for its Rieslings, which have a characteristic fruit flavour and spiciness that’s endlessly drinkable. Besides the wineries in town, there are many vineyards worth visiting north or south along the river. Top off your evening with a glass at Bistro Rene, a welcoming hotel with its own bar and restaurant.

Volkach, Franconia

Volkach is a romantic little town in Francofonia, the only wine region in Bavaria. The chalky soil produces powerful, dry Silvaner wines, best paired with hearty dishes like barbecued bratwurst and Bavarian cheese. The town itself is all rich reds and oranges, with pretty cobbled squares and family-run weinguts.

Every August, the Volkacher Weinfest brings together the winemakers of the region, and events like gourmet food festivals and concerts keep things lively all year long. As far as where to spend the night, Hotel Am Torum is a grapevine-covered gem with its own terrace for wine in the sunshine.

Bad Kreuznach, Nahe

Bad Kreuznach is made all the prettier by the river running through its medieval centre, where an arched bridge is framed by lush greenery. This spa town is located in Nahe, a wine region a bit off the beaten track whose Rieslings have achieved a world reputation in recent years. The wine made around Bad Kreuznach is considered the best – so expect steely, well-balanced vintages.

In between vineyard visits, take advantage of the curing thermal springs at the health resorts around town. For the ultimate relaxing stay, Hotel Kauzenberg has its own spa and soaring views over the vineyards and Old Town.

*These properties were chosen due to their popularity with Booking.com guests who endorsed the destinations for wine.