Mayor Christiane Hinninger said: “Passion, diversity, and hospitality are the essential ‘ingredients’ and the hallmark of the Rheingau Wine Week. And it was once again a success: For the 49th time, Wiesbaden served as a vibrant gathering place for people from our city, the region, and far beyond. Together, we were able to enjoy the cheerful and peaceful atmosphere. I’d especially like to thank the waste management company ELW, which ensured the event grounds remained clean at all times.” 

Once again, hundreds of thousands of enthusiastic visitors came to the Rheingau Wine Week to get together and enjoy a peaceful time. “Tasting and enjoying the more than 1,000 varieties of wine and sparkling wine together has always been at the heart of the festival,” says Matthias Fromm, Managing Director of the organizing company Wiesbaden Congress & Marketing GmbH, adding: “Rheingau Wine Week is far more than just a wine festival: It’s a showcase for our region. Here, wine culture, hospitality, lifestyle, and the cultural diversity of Wiesbaden and the Rheingau come together in a very special way. It is precisely this blend that makes up the special strength and appeal of the Rheingau Wine Week.”  

A well-curated music program featuring 50 bands on three stages—at Schlossplatz, in front of the Marktkirche, and on the Dern’schen Gelände—inspired many guests to dance and join in the festivities —in particular, the “Riesling Vibes” events, held three times and enthusiastically received, got not only young people moving to electronic beats. 

During a tour of the Rheingau Wine Week on Wednesday, August 19, digital creators from the wine industry, accompanied by organizers from WICM and Rheingau Wine Promotion, delved deeper into the topic of premium vineyards. The group visited young winemakers at their booths, discussed the unique characteristics and quality of the Rheingau’s premium vineyards with them, and tasted a total of ten selected wines, including wines from the premium vineyards. The tour was led by Katharina Höfling, a wine presenter and graduate of Geisenheim University in the field of wine economics, who shared her in-depth knowledge of Rheingau wine. This led to a lively and informal exchange, and participants subsequently shared information about Rheingau Wine Week on their social media channels. 

The new “Wein.Walk” event format allowed wine enthusiasts to experience the 49th Rheingau Wine Week from a unique perspective. Rheingau expert and author Britta Blottner, along with “Wein.Lotse” Stephan Bachhuber, led participants in small groups to selected wineries, facilitating personal conversations with the winemakers and wine tastings. The program was complemented by the “Wein & More” stage event on August 15 and 18. Britta Blottner and Stephan Bachhuber shared stories, trivia, and historical background about the Rheingau Wine Week.  

The wines traditionally take center stage at the world’s longest “Riesling wine bar”—but the Rheingau Wine Week also offers a wide variety of sparkling wines. On Friday evening, August 21, 18 participants had the opportunity to discover and taste this variety during a “Sparkling Wine Hopping Tour” organized by the WICM and Rheingau Wine Promotion and expertly led by wine presenter Katharina Höfling. The tour was fully booked well in advance again this year—a clear sign of the great interest in personal interaction with the winemakers as well as in background knowledge about wine, sparkling wine, and the region’s wine culture. 

Dominik Russler, managing director of the Weinbauverband e. V. and Rheingauer Weinwerbung GmbH, explains the winemakers’ perspective: “This year, Rheingau Wine Week presented a special challenge for some winemakers, as one or two had already begun the harvest at the same time—heading out to the vineyard at 6 a.m., then taking the harvested grapes to the press, restocking the wines at the wine stand, heading back to the cellar, and returning to the wine stand in the evening to serve guests. The winemakers’ initial reports on quality sound promising for a high-quality 2026 vintage,” and he emphasizes the importance of Wine Week: “It’s an important date on the calendar for Rheingau winemakers every year; maintaining contact with regular customers and providing an excellent opportunity to raise awareness of their own ‘wine’ brand work perfectly here: in a focused setting against a unique backdrop. The Rheingau has been a guest in Wiesbaden for five decades.” She adds: “In fact, the state capital is also ‘part of the Rheingau’ and an integral part of our way of life and culture.” 

From August 14 through August 23, guests flocked to the Dern’sche grounds, the Schlossplatz, and the squares around the Marktkirche in nearly all weather conditions. The weather on the first two days of the festival was marked by hot temperatures. After the first rain on Saturday, it cooled off noticeably, and the two storm-related interruptions and the one cancellation on Wednesday evening did not dampen the mood at Wine Week. 

The first hot days in particular drove demand for water—not just at the wine stands. Around 7,000 liters of water flew off the shelves at the ESWE stand alone, and over 1,500 liters of water with a refreshing fruity note were served. 

The emergency services also reported positive results. There was an increase in calls over the weekends and on the hotter days, primarily due to circulatory issues and wasp stings. Overall, there were no notable incidents. 

“My first Rheingau Wine Week immediately won me over with its special atmosphere, the great hospitality, and the genuine welcoming spirit shown to visitors from out of town. You can really feel how much this festival thrives on the people’s connection to the region and to one another. I’m already looking forward all the more to next year’s anniversary celebration, when we’ll be able to celebrate 50 years of the Rheingau Wine Week together from August 13 to 22, 2027,” says Matthias Fromm, summing up this year’s Wine Week.