Mittelrhein Weinfest Boppard — 1st Wine Festival Weekend

The Mittelrhein Weinfest Boppard is the central wine event of the UNESCO World Heritage city on the Middle Rhine and is traditionally celebrated over two consecutive weekends. The first wine festival weekend in 2026 takes place from Friday, September 25th, to Monday, September 28th; the second follows from October 2nd to 4th. This two-part format allows Boppard vintners to present their wines to a broad audience over two weeks.

The venue is the historic Marktplatz Boppard — one of the most beautiful town ensembles in the Middle Rhine Valley. Framed by half-timbered houses from several centuries and overlooked by the late Romanesque St. Severus Church (12th century), the market square forms a backdrop worthy of any postcard. The columned arcades of the town hall, the ornate facades of the burgher houses, and the splashing of the market fountain create an atmosphere where wine tasting becomes an overall experience.

At the wine tasting stalls, Boppard vintners present their current vintages. The Bopparder Hamm — the spectacular Rhine loop with its south-facing steep slopes — is one of Germany's best Riesling growing areas. Dry and off-dry Rieslings dominate the offerings, complemented by Pinot Noir, Frühburgunder, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Rosé, and Sekt (sparkling wine).

The stage program is varied: During the day, brass bands, folk music ensembles, and 'Schunkel' bands (sing-along bands) create the typical wine festival atmosphere; in the late afternoon and evening, rock bands, cover bands, and occasional pop acts take over. This mix appeals to very different target groups and makes the wine festival attractive for all generations.

Among the programmatic highlights of the 1st weekend are the wine hikes to the Mandelsteinhütte on Saturday and Sunday. The Mandelsteinhütte is located in the vineyards above Boppard and can be reached via a beautiful hiking trail through the steep slopes. The hikes are guided and offer insights into Boppard's viticulture, followed by a wine tasting at the hut with a view of the Rhine.

Another highlight is the evening boat trip with vintner's buffet and fireworks on Saturday, September 26th, 2026. The boat sails through the Middle Rhine Valley, a vintner's buffet with Boppard wines is served on board; the highlight is the fireworks, which can be enjoyed from the boat over the Rhine — an experience with a special atmosphere.