St. Rochus Weinkirmes Nittel

Mosel Border Region with its Own Identity

Nittel is located directly on the Upper Mosel, opposite the Luxembourgish wine community of Machtum. The region is home to the Elbling grape, an old Mosel specialty that thrives here on shell limestone soils. The St. Rochus Weinkirmes strategically utilizes its border location: as a 'German-Luxembourgish Wine Happening,' it brings together German and Luxembourgish vintners, clubs, and the public.

Rochus, Patron Saint of Plague and Pilgrims

Saint Roch (feast day August 16th) is considered the patron saint against the plague and the patron of pilgrims — the parish of Nittel has him as its patron saint. The wine festival therefore has its roots in the liturgical calendar: on Saturday afternoon, a festival service with wine consecration takes place, a religious ritual that documents the close connection between wine, church, and tradition in the Mosel-Saar region.

Crowning of the Saar-Obermosel Wine Royalty

The highlight on Saturday evening (from 7:30 PM) is the proclamation and crowning of the 20th Saar-Obermosel Wine Royalty, followed by the keg tapping ceremony. From 9:30 PM, the cover band 'Party On' performs — a format that engages the younger generation and fills the festival tent for the entire night.

Boat Shuttle Nittel – Machtum

The special feature on Sunday: a free boat shuttle connects Nittel with Machtum on the Luxembourgish side until 10 PM. Visitors can thus experience both sides of the Mosel and their wines without having to drive over bridges. This makes the Nittel Wine Festival a weekend that makes German and Luxembourgish wine identity visible.