Kochertaler Genießertour 2026 — Wine, Hiking, Feasting

The Kochertal — Hohenlohe's Wine Paradise

The Kochertal between Schwäbisch Hall and Bad Friedrichshall is one of Germany's southernmost and smallest wine-growing regions. The vineyards are located on the steep Kocher riverbanks in south and southwest-facing slopes — the narrow valley creates an optimal microclimate for Riesling, Schwarzriesling, Spätburgunder, and Grauburgunder. Characteristic wine villages: Belsenberg (district of Künzelsau), Ingelfingen, Weißbach, Niedernhall, and Forchtenberg — all in the Hohenlohe district in northern Baden-Württemberg.

The Genießertour — 11 Stations over 14 km

The Kochertaler Genießertour is a guided wine hike that annually brings together the wineries, wine cooperatives, and restaurateurs of the Kochertal. Over a route of approximately 14 kilometers between Belsenberg/Künzelsau and Forchtenberg, 11 stations await you. At each station, the providers present their wine and small culinary specialties — a wine experience and a tour through one of southern Germany's most beautiful valley landscapes.

The 11 Stations 2026

The 2026 Genießertour will stop at the following stations along the Kochertal:

1. Landgasthof Lell (Belsenberg)
2. Weingut Gaufer (Ingelfingen)
3. Ruine Lichteneck (viewpoint, catering)
4. Weingut Bauer (Ingelfingen)
5. Ingelfinger Fass (Schlosshotel Ingelfingen)
6. Hubschrauberlandeplatz Criesbach (catering station)
7. Sattel Criesbach (viewpoint with catering)
8. Engweg Niedernhall (wine bar)
9. Dorfplatz Weißbach (central catering station)
10. Forchtenberg Büschelhof (winery station)
11. Metzgerei Schäfer (Forchtenberg, culinary finale)

Program Friday and Saturday

The 2026 tour spans two days:

• Friday, August 22, 2026, from 6:00 PM: Kick-off with the first stations, a relaxed preparation for the main festival day
• Saturday, August 23, 2026: Main festival day with all 11 stations open. From 7:00 PM, the live band Steel Wine and Honey will perform. Late in the evening, around 10 PM, the highlight with Genießer-Feuerwerk (gourmet fireworks) as the festival finale

Steel Wine and Honey — Live Band on Saturday

The band Steel Wine and Honey is a regional group from the Hohenlohe district that reinterprets cover hits from rock, pop, and folk with warm, "honey-sweet" vocals — hence the name. From 7 PM, they will play at one of the main stations (Dorfplatz Weißbach or similar) as musical accompaniment to the tour.

What You Need

The tour is not a traditional hiking trail but a flexible enjoyment hike. You walk at your own pace, stop at each station, listen to the vintners, taste the wines, and enjoy the specialties. Sturdy footwear and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended. The route mainly follows paved paths along the Kocher, with some inclines at the viewpoints.