Oberwesel Wine Market

The Oberwesel Wine Market is one of the most traditional wine festivals on the Middle Rhine and the annual highlight of Oberwesel's wine culture. For four days, the market brings together vintners from the entire Middle Rhine region and some adjacent wine-growing areas for an impressive showcase of regional wine culture.

The venue is the historic market square of the UNESCO World Heritage city of Oberwesel, surrounded by medieval half-timbered houses and overlooked by the Gothic Church of Our Lady. This backdrop lends the market a special atmosphere and is as memorable a sight as the wines themselves.

The wine selection is exceptionally rich: Over 150 different Middle Rhine wines are served at the stands. The Middle Rhine as a wine-growing region extends along the Rhine between Bingen and Bonn and, with around 470 hectares of vineyards, is one of Germany's smallest growing regions — but of top quality. The steep slopes with their slate soils, the heat-retaining properties of the Rhine, and the mild climate produce particularly elegant, mineral Rieslings, which are among the finest in Germany. Spätburgunder, Frühburgunder, Weißburgunder, Chardonnay, and Sekt (sparkling wine) are also on offer.

The Weinhexe (Wine Witch), as the symbol of Oberwesel's wine marketing, is present during the market and personally invites visitors to taste the wines. She walks among the stands, pours wine, and is a popular photo opportunity. The figure has been an integral part of Oberwesel's wine marketing since the Wine Witch Night in April.

On Wine Market Sunday, the traditional parade takes place through Oberwesel's town center — with the Wine Queen and Wine Princesses, representatives from friendly wine regions, music bands, and festively decorated floats. The parade is a visual highlight and underscores the cultural significance of the market.

A special feature is the timing with the boat parade „Rhein in Flammen“ (Rhine in Flames) on Saturday, September 12, 2026. While the boat parade starts on the Rhine from 5 p.m. and the music-synchronized grand fireworks begin around 9:35 p.m., the wine market continues in parallel, offering Middle Rhine wines as the ideal accompaniment to the spectacle. This combination — wine, boat parade, and grand fireworks against the backdrop of the World Heritage city — makes the weekend a unique experience and the undisputed highlight of the Oberwesel event calendar.