Along the Rheingau Riesling Route

Beer drinkers may enjoy a good pub beer crawl, but wine aficionados will love the Rheingau Riesling Route! The route runs from the town of Flörsheim to Lorch, which is close to the city of Wiesbaden. The beautiful drive is 70 kilometers in total and sign-posted throughout. This drive is great for the whole family because, besides being able to purchase wine in the Riesling center of the world, you also pass beautiful vineyards, famous castles, historic manors, and picture-perfect views of the Rhein River.

The Route

On the map that is sign-posted by the region, you can find the route for driving (thick line), walking/biking trails (dotted lines), and also the wine stands (black wine glasses).

Rüdesheim am Rhein

The beautiful route from Lorch along the Rhein River will make you feel like you are driving in a scenic painting. A great place to stop is in the romantic Altstadt (Old Town) of Rüdesheim am Rhein. You could get lost exploring the winding cobblestone streets all day!

I suggest you head to the Seilbahn (cable car) to go up and see Germania at the ‘Niederwalddenkmal Monument’. However, since this is the Riesling tour, make sure you buy a small bottle of Riesling Sekt from the cable car and drink it while taking in the extraordinary view high above the vineyards. E

njoy the absolute silence as you ascend higher away from the town. The only sounds you will hear are the faint popping noises from your bubbly Sekt and any Sekt glass clinking! Cheers!

Schloss Johannisberg

Next on the route, there is the must-see castle: Schloss Johannisberg! This impressive castle has a wine shop, café, and incredible views of the Rhein. It is also the perfect spot to sip a glass of the Schloss Johannisberg Riesling, which they have been making for over 900 years. They are also known for creating the first late harvest wine, called Spätlese, which is a popular sweet-tasting wine.

Oestrich-Winkel

Nowadays, we are lucky enough to be able to load the trunks of our SUVs with this amazing wine. But more than 250 years ago, this area was used for loading wine barrels onto decks of ships traveling along the river.

In Oestrich-Winkel there is a crane that was built in 1744 on the bank of the river and along the route. Now a protected monument, the construction inside consists of two massive mill wheels. Interestingly, it is based on a 2000-year-old technology used during the Roman era.

The inside is open to the public during certain times of the year, which is posted at the crane. There are also many wineries to discover in this special town.

Eltville

The route then weaves around the enchanting town of Eltville, which feels like a fairytale town… with wine! There are many small wineries open for tastings and wine purchases.

Just like you’ll find in any good fairytale town, Eltville has an incredible castle from the 14th century called the Electoral Castle. After you enter the gift shop, for a small fee, you can walk to the top of the tower for views of the river and beautiful castle gardens.

Customize your experience!

The Rheingauer Riesling Route continues through the city of Wiesbaden and then a longer stretch of road winds through smaller picturesque wine towns like Hochheim. Whether you explore the Riesling Route all in one day or only visit a few towns, or if you sampled at the wine stands or filled your car with boxes of wine: the Rheingauer Riesling Route is an absolute delight that should not be missed during your time in Germany!

Just think, years down the road when you order a glass of German Riesling in another part of the world, you can confidently say, “Oh, I’ve been there!”

Author’s Profile: Gemma is ‘A Jersey Broad Abroad’ blogger and podcaster living in Wiesbaden, Germany. She is either found spending time with her family or planning her next adventure.