HISTORIC HIGHLIGHTS OF GERMANY

HISTORIC HIGHLIGHTS OF GERMANY COMMEMORATES ALMOST TWO MILLENNIA OF WINE CULTURE WITH  TASTINGS, WINE ESTATE TOURS AND SPECIAL PACKAGES

Offers From Heidelberg, Koblenz, Mainz, Trier And Würzburg Abound In Autumn

Augsburg, Germany, August 2009 – From the first red wine produced during Roman rule to the sweet Riesling for which the country is renowned, German wine is woven into the country’s culture and history; and now, five members of Historic Highlights of Germany – Heidelberg, Koblenz, Mainz, Trier and Würzburg – are inviting travelers to experience this firsthand.  The five cities are offering an expansive array of wine-themed events, activities and offers, all within the autumn wine harvest season (September to November).  Those interested in wine tastings and tours can choose from an array of packages offered by Heidelberg and Trier, or get a dose of history with a visit to the two major wine estates in Würzburg and the “Wine Village” in Koblenz.  In September, Mainz’s annual wine festival – with more than 50 regional growers in attendance – is a must for true connoisseurs. 

In romantic Heidelberg, located along the Neckar River, travelers can take advantage of three distinct packages that center around wine tastings.  At the Sudpfanne Restaurant, wine specialists arrange a sampling of six regional wines along with different types of Flammkuchen – an Alsatian version of a thin-crust pizza – and a hearty two-course meal.  In the Old Town, visitors can take a one-hour tour through the winding streets before going to Kulturbrauerei, where the restaurant’s wine expert guides visitors through regional reds and whites before a traditional meal including Käsespätzle and Wiener schnitzel.  Guests at the Heidelberg Wine and Chocolate Tasting enjoy five exclusive wines from regional vineyards and five high quality fine chocolates – including renowned Domori dark chocolate– with the guidance of a chocolate specialist and wine expert.  More information, including pricing, is available at www.heidelberg-marketing.de.

Koblenz, at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle, is a charming town defined by an abundance of cultural monuments, historical buildings, and beautifully restored shops.  Travellers can get a taste of the city’s historic squares, shops and restaurants while walking along romantic lanes in the city, or wander down along the banks of the Rhine, to explore the city’s impressive selection of wine bars, restaurants and pubs.  Also found on the Rhine banks is Koblenz’s “Wine Village,” a favourite for connoisseurs since its inception in 1925; visitors can explore the genuine vineyard and half-timbered houses, or enjoy a glass of wine and spectacular scenery in the outdoor trellised courtyard area.  For more information, go to www.koblenz.de.

                At the center of the German wine economy is Mainz, a city set in the heart of Rheinhessen and home to numerous wine traders as well as the seat of the state's wine minister.  During the first weekend of September, wine growers from nearby regions – including Rheingau, Mittel Rhein, Ahr, Nahe, Mosel, Pfalz and Hessische Bergstrasse, all within an hour’s drive – assemble here for the annual Mainzer Weinmarkt (Mainz Wine Market).  Situated among the rose gardens and parklands of the city’s Rosengarten and Volkspark, the event has craft stalls, fairground rides and dozens of wine stands.  This year, the festival –taking  place September 3-6 – is partnering with South Africa, which will showcase Cape Winelands.  Further information is available at www.mainz.de.

In Trier, Germany’s oldest wine-growing center, visitors find an eclectic mix of old and new; declared a treasure of world civilization by UNESCO, it is also a bustling metropolis.  Several two-night packages are being offered by the city in conjunction with hotels, restaurants and wineries; themes range from wine cultivation during Roman rule to a combination of World Heritage site visits and wine culture.  Other offerings include the Wine Teaching Path; the tour begins in the area of the Roman Amphitheatre and winds through the city, featuring wine tastings – and illustration panels that detail the relationship between grape varieties, climate and soil – along the way.  See www.trier.de/tourismus for more information.

Würzburg, situated on the Main River, is most famous for producing Franconian wines, easily recognizable by their pear-shaped bottles with short necks.  The city is home to several wine estates, including the impressive Juliusspital, a castle-like building with a historic courtyard and  a 400-year old, 800-foot long wine cellar that makes it one of the oldest and largest German wineries.  Guests can tour the estateand enjoy tastings there, as well as at the Bürgerspital-Weingut zum Heiligen Geist (Citizens Foundation for Holy Spirit Hospital) set in the heart of the city.  Further information can be found at www.wuerzburg.de.

Historic Highlights of Germany is a tourism consortium comprising Augsburg, Erfurt, Freiburg, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Mainz, Münster, Osnabrück, Potsdam, Regensburg, Rostock, Trier, Wiesbaden and Würzburg - cities rich in historic and cultural heritage.  Contact Historic Highlights of Germany at info@historicgermany.com or visit www.historicgermany.com.

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