Ingelheim and Bingen: A Local’s Tour of German Wine Country
Located just 30 minutes outside of the vibrant European financial center of Frankfurt (where I was born) is Rhenish Hesse. In the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, situated between the two better-known cities of Frankfurt and Cologne, this lesser-known region has a lot to offer — historically, culturally and geographically.
The summer after my freshman year of college, I had the opportunity to work as an intern in the Public Relations Department of the Parliament of Rhineland-Palatinate in Mainz, the capital of Rhineland-Palatinate. Mainz played a major role in Germany’s history. In 1793, the first democratic Parliament was elected in Mainz.
In the shadow of German-Franco disputes the Mainzer Republic did not survive long but is considered to be the source of modern German democracy. My internship in Mainz increased my knowledge about the roots of German democracy and also inspired me to choose Political Science as my major. If you have an interest in Germany history, I would recommend taking a guided tour of the Parliament.
Fifteen kilometers outside of Mainz is the City of Ingelheim, where I grew up. You’ll find vineyards growing on the hillsides that have been around the town since 835 A.D.! This is why Ingelheim calls itself “the town of red wine” today. Throughout my childhood and still today, my family and I enjoy bike rides and hiking trips through the endless vineyard landscapes.
The very best time of year to visit Rhenish Hesse is June through September, when you can spend an evening at one of the numerous wine festivals in the region. One of my favorite festivals is the “Nacht der Verführung” (night of seduction) where you can enjoy the region’s best wines along with a stunning view of the Rhine and the Rochus Chapple. I would also recommend the Bingen Winemaker Festival, the Ingelheim Red Wine Festival, and the Bingen Champagne Festival. Check out a comprehensive list of all activities and festivals in Bingen.
While you can sample wines from each of the wineries at these festivals, if you would like a more in-depth experience, I would recommend taking a winery tour. The kind and generous winemakers of the region are always happy to tell you more about their variety of wines and production processes.
Aside from being the top-producing wine region in Germany, Rhenish Hesse is home to some impressive historical ruins.
The Ingelheim Imperial Palace, just a few miles from my parents’ house, was built in the second half of 8th Century and until the 11th century served as a place for governance and as a residence for many Emperors and Kings, including Charlemagne.
Within the grounds of the Imperial Palace, at the Museum at the Kaiserpfalz, you can see a historical reconstruction of the Imperial Palace and learn what it was like at different time periods. As a child I used to lead guided tours called “kids guide kids” through the impressive collection of objects discovered by archaeologists. These guided tours are still conducted today.
Lastly, there is no better way to enjoy the beautiful view of the Rhine River than by bike or boat. Start in the City of Bingen and ride alongside the Rhine and enjoy the view of countless old castles and beautiful villages. Whenever our family and friends come for visit, we love to take them on a boat trip.
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By Anna Rebekka Raiss, Summer 2016 in the Trade section @EUintheUS. Anna is currently enrolled in a Master’s program in European Politics at the University of Bath, UK, and Humboldt University Berlin.
