Einholen der Letzten Weinfuhre Iphofen

One of Franconia's most beautiful wine harvest closing festivals

The Einholen der Letzten Weinfuhre in Iphofen is more than a tourist highlight — it is an authentic harvest festival for the Iphofen vintner community. As soon as the last grape of the vintage is brought in from the vineyard, the vintners form up with their festively decorated wagons and parade from the Einersheimer Tor, one of the historic town gates, through the medieval old town to the market square.

The Parade — Vintners, Dance Group, and Town Band

The parade is the heart of the event. The vintners participate with their trailers decorated with grapevines, grapes, and colorful ribbons. The Weingärtnertanzkreis accompanies the procession with traditional dances, and the Stadtkapelle der Feuerwehr Iphofen (town band of the Iphofen fire brigade) with Franconian marching music. On the market square, the mayor, the Iphöfer Weinprinzessin (Iphofen Wine Princess), and representatives of both Christian denominations welcome the vintners with congratulations and a festive speech about the vintage.

Bremser, Onion Cake, and Lard Bread

From 11 AM, refreshments are served on the market square: Bremser is poured — the young wine of the fresh vintage, still fermenting, a typical Franconian seasonal drink. It is served with onion cake, lard bread, sausages, coffee, and cake. In the evening, the Kellerfest in the historic town hall cellar follows with more Franconian specialties and music.

Iphofen — A Wine Town with its Own History

Iphofen is a small town with around 4,600 inhabitants in the Kitzingen district, Lower Franconia administrative region, Bavaria. It is one of the oldest and most renowned wine-growing communities in Franconia — the Iphöfer Julius-Echter-Berg (Silvaner grape) is considered one of Franconia's best vineyard sites. The historic old town with its three medieval city gates (Einersheimer Tor, Mainbernheimer Tor, Rödelseer Tor) and remarkable town fortifications is among the top attractions in Franconia.

What Makes the 'Letzte Fuhre' Special

Unlike some commercially organized wine festivals, the 'Einholen der Letzten Weinfuhre' thrives on authenticity. The vintners genuinely drive their last trailers from the vineyard into town; the audience consists of locals, relatives of the vintners, wine lovers from all over Franconia, and a few targeted tourists. Anyone who has been there once knows why the people of Iphofen celebrate the end of their wine harvest with so much pride.