Outstanding Vinotheks

In the far northern reaches of Rheinland-Pfalz sits a picturesque stretch of land known as Walporzheim an der Ahr. For as long as anyone can remember, wine production and the sale of wine have driven the town's economy.

Sometimes architecture succeeds in making not just a mark, but a bold exclamation point. It formulates a statement, clear and lean, that summarizes everything the client wants to communicate.

The vinothek at Weingut Andreas Männle in Durbach on the Baden Wine Trail radiates stylish elegance and modern chic. A long, extended space with sharp contours.

Weingut Engler has made its home in the town of Müllheim since 1892. Under the leadership of Andrea Engler-Waibel, the estate has made a Markgräfler specialty, the Gutedel, into its flagship wine.

125 years ago, Andreas Neymeyer, hailing from Weingut Bastian in Endingen, became the first Baden winegrower to request a permit as a communion wine maker.

Lively and contemporary wine culture, paired with outstanding gourmet offerings from the kitchen and cellar. Fresh, local and varied — that's the philosophy for the Weber family in the heart of the Breisgau.

Anyone who has such a view does not hide away in the wine cellar. In the middle of the vineyards of southern Baden, in the middle of a lush green expanse, the 62 members of the winegrowers' cooperative have established their vinological centre.

Upon the 2003 debut of this vinothek, the industry press buzzed with talk of a "jewel" and "one of the finest addresses when it comes to Franken wine."

When Markus Meier caught the wine bug, he jumped headlong from his first career into winemaking. Today he leads the premium winegrowing estate in southern Franken.

It is a brilliant view that awaits guests at the Weingut am Stein. The view sweeps down into the valley towards Würzburg, a cluster of monasteries, churches and architectural history.

It all began with seven loaves of bread. That was the price posed to the Behringers in 1634 for the right to take over the "Zur Krone" guest house on the marketplace of Abtswind. It's been the Behringers home ever since.

The Brennflecks have already celebrated their silver wedding anniversary. Their present to mark the start of their marriage 25 years ago, or their life's work, was this estate in the middle of Sulzfeld on Main.