Schloss Westerhaus

A day at a small vineyard

Right now I sit on a train to Stuttgart, geared up for my next adventure. But for now, I must share a few details about this past Saturday. It was a rare weekend day when no one in the family had any commitments, apart from my evening soccer match. So, what to do? How about visit a vineyard.

Grape vines cover the Rhineland hills

While I’ve mentioned German beer more than a few times, the country also has an impressive wine industry. My state of Hessen and the bordering Rhineland are more for their wine than their beer. While there are large wineries that export all over Europe and the world, more often it’s the small ones that dot the rolling hills of southwest Germany.

Through the American Women’s Club, Nina found out about a vineyard tour at Schloss Westerhaus, under an hour southwest from us. Though it was coincidence that the tour fell on Luc’s birthday, it was great to be going out for the day as a group of seven. Simon and Nina didn’t really know what to expect from the event, but as we climbed from the town of Ingelheim into the hills, the scenery alone suggested a great day ahead. We drove past rows and rows of grapevines before reaching the elegantly simple winery.

Schloss Westerhaus is owned by the great-granddaughter of Adam Opel, founder of the Opel auto manufacturer. The Opel family obtained the vineyard as a side venture in 1908, and each generation has expanded the wine brand. Today, it’s still tiny compared to many German wine producers, but it does very well.

The seven of us, along with many other American or part-American families, all gathered for instructions. I was expecting a tour explaining how wine is produced from grape to glass, but it was soon apparent that we would be working. It turned out to be phenomenal. We trudged up a wooded path that opened up to a stunning view across the valley. Looking south I could see many small villages dotting the hillsides, and the rest consisted of rows and rows of grapevines.

We were told to pick a certain type of grape for their autumn pinot noir. The deep purple grapes grew in thick bunches, and it was just a matter of checking the group for ripeness before snipping it off the vine. I picked hundreds of bunches just big enough to fill the palm of my hand. We started on a row and slowly worked our way down the hill. By time we reached the bottom it was sunny and warm, and I had some very sticky fingers. I picked grapes and ate them as I went, and if the wine is anything like the quality of the grape, it will be delicious.

After nearly two hours of picking, we began the trudge back up the hill and to the main building. On display in the center of the dining room was a round table ringed by twenty bottles of different wines. Also out was a large tables of breads, meats, and cheeses--so typically German and so delicious. I enjoyed as much of the food as I could, and though I only sample a few wines because of my game, I loved each one. The Rose and Sect wines were especially good, and I’m glad we decided to bring back some bottles with us.

The best part was of course being together as a family, and when it comes to sampling the simple German delicacies, it doesn’t get much better than the Schloss Westerhaus vineyard. 

Click here to see all of my photos from Schloss Westerhaus.