Claus Schick, Commissioner of the County of Mainz-Bingen: “We have extraordinary businesses that can compete at an international level with innovation and outstanding performance.” Ernst Walter Görisch, Commissioner of the County of Alzey-Worms: “We have always been aware of the high quality and diversity of our wine tourism offerings. Now it is a matter of supporting our businesses by getting the message out to the rest of the world.”
Wine Tourism Services
In the category “Wine Tourism Services” the jury voted unanimously for the Gehring Wine Estate in Nierstein for its creative, innovative and dedicated work. Nestled in the vineyards of the Rhine Terraces with marvelous views, the Gehring Wine Estate offers visitors a comprehensive package of activities and culinary events, which “touch the very soul”. These include vineyard picnics, tours, wine seminars, torch-lit hikes and numerous year-round festivals involving wine. In addition, the estate offers a spacious campervan site for up to thirty campers to enjoy their stay in Rheinhessen.
http://www.weingut-gehring.com/
Wine Tourism Restaurants
With its charming ambiance, impressive for its attention to detail, the restaurant and hotel Schloss Sörgenloch has long been one of the top addresses in the entire Rhein-Main Region. The hearty yet refined cuisine is made up predominantly of fresh regional products from the surrounding areas. The best accompanying wine can be found on the extensive wine list which reads like a “Who’s Who” of leading Rheinhessen winemakers. “The site, with its rich traditions and comprehensive offerings for its guests, has already established itself as a first-class address for fine wine and dining throughout the entire Rhein-Main region,” found the jury.
http://www.schloss-soergenloch.de/
Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences
The jury was also unanimous in its choice of the brand-new Laubenheimer Höhe Estate of the Barth family in the category of “Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences”. Nestled among the vineyards around Mainz and yet close to the city center, the Laubenheimer Höhe Estate welcomes you. Opened in March 2011, the Estate is a work of art from start to finish, creating a setting for wine and ongoing enjoyment. Its centerpiece is the light, airy dining area, the Vineyard Hut with hearty regional fare. The city bus line stops directly at our doorstep; there is also plenty of parking. Both indoors and out, there is room to escape the cares of everyday life and to really enjoy yourself.
http://www.hofgut-laubenheimer-hoehe.de
Art and Culture
With its unique location, the Vinothek Bingen serves as a special visitor center at the gateway to the Middle Rhine Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site. The views of Castle Ehrenfels, the Mäuseturm tower on its island in the Rhine and the Germania Monument in the Niederwald above Rüdesheim alone offer a splendid ambiance for enjoying the work of six different winemakers. The Vinothek Bingen entertains guests with its international cultural program consisting of readings, regular art exhibits, exciting theme tastings and musical events. “Numerous special cultural events combine enjoyment, art and culture in an impressive manner”, reads the jury’s decision to name the Vinothek Bingen winner in the category “Art & Culture”.
http://www.vinothek-bingen.de/
Accommodation
Guests are treated to a harmonious combination of historical structures and a wonderful garden with pool at the Steitz Estate in Stein-Bockenheim. The wine estate, with its lovingly appointed rooms and suites, received a four-star rating from the German Hotel and Restaurant Association, Dehoga. The hotel, located in the region known as “Swiss Rheinhessen”, is renowned for its excellent service and warm hospitality. Activities related to wine and wine tourism round out the overall offering.
Architecture, Parks and Landscapes
As an overall work of art with its prominent tower and tasting room, the Riffel Wine Estate, which has already received numerous awards for its outstanding wines, was selected in the category “Architecture, Parks and Gardens”. The Riffel Wine Estate, with its prominent tower, is located centrally in the village of Bingen-Büdesheim. The tower room offers visitors a fantastic view of the Rochusberg and Bingen’s famous Scharlachberg vineyards. In the modern-contemporary new location built in 2007 on the Rochusberg above Bingen, the owners present an ongoing series of culinary events featuring fine cuisine and their excellent wines. An address in the northern part of Rheinhessen, which is at the top of the list in many wine guides.
Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices
The Raddeck Estate in Nierstein, with its prominent setting and views of Nierstein, the Roter Hang and the Rhine, is fully oriented towards sustainable methods. Their work is conducted in complete harmony with nature. They make full use of all available technologies, such as geothermal heating, solar and photovoltaic, as well as recycling rainwater. The regional cuisine, the top wines and the outstanding location make every visit a unique experience.
About the Great Wine Capitals Global Network
Founded in 1999, the Great Wine Capitals Global Network is an alliance of nine internationally renowned wine regions – Bordeaux, France; Cape Town, South Africa; Christchurch-South Island, New Zealand; Florence, Italy; Mainz-Rheinhessen, Germany; Mendoza, Argentina; Porto, Portugal; Bilbao-Rioja, Spain and San Francisco-Napa Valley, USA. The Best Of Wine Tourism awards serve as an industry benchmark for excellence and recognize leading wineries and wine-tourism related businesses within each Great Wine Capital that have distinguished themselves in areas such as innovation, service and sustainable practices. For more information visit http://www.greatwinecapitals.com.
Written by John Abbott
