Saale-Weinmeile — Pentecost Wine Festival in Freyburg

Freyburg — Capital of Saale-Unstrut Viticulture

Freyburg (Unstrut) is the wine centre of the Saale-Unstrut region. It is home to the Rotkäppchen sparkling wine cellar, founded in 1856 and now one of Germany's best-known sparkling wine brands; it houses the Wine Museum; steep slopes, Neuenburg Castle, and the Unstrut river shape the townscape. From Freyburg's town centre, you can reach the Saale-Weinmeile, the region's most important wine event, in 15 to 30 minutes.

Pentecost Wine Festival 2026

The Saale-Weinmeile celebrates its big weekend every year at Pentecost: Saturday and Sunday, May 23rd and 24th, 2026. On a 6 km hiking route between Bad Kösen and Roßbach, there are over 30 vintner stands — directly in front of their own vineyards. Freyburg is located on the eastern edge of this route and is perfectly connected via the Saale-Unstrut railway. Those who start or end here also have the opportunity to visit the Wine Museum or the Rotkäppchen sparkling wine cellar.

Saale-Unstrut — Wine on the Border

Saale-Unstrut is Germany's northernmost quality wine-growing region. Mineral soils on shell limestone and a cool climate give the wines a distinctive character — fresh, acidic, often with a piquant minerality. Müller-Thurgau, Bacchus, Pinot Blanc, Silvaner are the main grape varieties; Riesling and Pinot Noir are increasingly being added. The steep slopes are partly still cultivated by hand.

Arrival and Logistics

Freyburg is located in the Burgenlandkreis district, in the state of Saxony-Anhalt. You can reach it from Naumburg in 10 minutes via the Saale-Unstrut railway. At Pentecost, travelling by train is mandatory — there are hardly any parking spaces left in the valley. Tip: Stay overnight in Freyburg and do the wine mile as a two-day hike (Saturday going, Sunday returning) — this way you can taste at your leisure and reach the finest slopes.