Iphöfer Marktplatz Winzerfest der Weinfreunde

Iphofen Wine Tradition since 1948

The Iphöfer Marktplatz Winzerfest has been celebrated in Iphofen since 1948 – making it one of the oldest wine festivals in Franconia. The organizer is the cooperative Weinfreunde Iphofen eG, the local association of Iphofen vintners. The festival has managed to establish itself over three generations as a central date in the Franconian summer calendar – a remarkable development for a festival that takes place not in a big city, but in a small medieval community.

Historic Market Square as Festival Backdrop

The venue is the historic market square of Iphofen – one of the most beautiful Renaissance market squares in Franconia, framed by half-timbered and stone buildings, the town hall, the parish church of St. Veit, and the old market fountain. For the festival days, five modern wine cubes will be set up on this square, where the 16 Iphofen vintners will rotate and serve their wines. These architecturally deliberate cubes are a hallmark of the festival and clearly distinguish it from the typical wine festival stall.

16 Vintners, 50+ Wines

The Weinfreunde Iphofen is a cooperative of 16 Iphofen vintners who cultivate their vines on the renowned Iphöfer Julius-Echter-Berg – a VDP-recognized grand cru site and one of the most famous vineyard sites in Franconia (Silvaner, Riesling). At the festival, they will jointly present more than 50 different wines: Silvaner (the leading Franconian grape variety), Riesling, Bacchus, Müller-Thurgau, Spätburgunder Weißherbst, Domina, Schwarzriesling, and some experimental specialties.

Culinary Delights and Program

The culinary line is consistently regional – Franconian bratwurst, Schäuferla (pork shoulder), cheese platters, bread from a wood-fired oven, desserts. Food trucks complement the offerings. Every day there is live music in various formats: trio combos, brass, acoustic sets, and traditionally a Frühschoppen concert on Sunday mornings. On Sundays at 10:00 AM, there is also a church service within the festival framework, from 3:00 PM coffee and cake with live music, as well as a performance by comedy cabaret artist Chris Boettcher.

Shuttle and Iphofen

Iphofen, with around 4,700 inhabitants, is a town in the district of Kitzingen, located in the Franconian wine country between Würzburg and Bamberg. A free shuttle service brings guests from the surrounding villages and Markt Einersheim to the festival – a deliberate service to enable sober journeys home.