Weine vor Freude — The Urban Wine Festival

Urban Wine Festival in the Heart of Bochum

While wine culture is usually associated with the vineyards along the Rhine, Mosel, or Nahe rivers, 'Weine vor Freude' has been proving since 2013 that there's a vibrant wine scene right in the middle of the Ruhr area. On June 11th, 12th, and 13th, 2026, the event will open its doors for the 12th time in the urban double venue Rotunde & Gleis 9 at Königsallee 178B in Bochum. Instead of a classic trade fair hall, you'll find an industrial flair with brick, high ceilings, and railway tracks — a perfect stage for a wine festival that leaves behind the dusty character of some wine fairs.

Over 50 Wineries — Premiere of the Expanded Edition

The 2026 edition features over 50 participating wineries for the first time. The focus is on the German growing regions of Pfalz, Rheinhessen, Baden, Rheingau, Nahe, and Mosel — represented by both young, forward-thinking producers and established VDP houses. In addition, international producers from Austria, Italy, France, and overseas will expand the range with natural wines, pet nats, orange wines, and classic cuvées. The ticket includes tasting samples, bread for palate cleansing, and still water — a concept that allows for tasting without extra charge.

Workshops, Live Music, and After-Party

'Weine vor Freude' consciously positions itself not just as a sales fair, but as a festival. Over the three days, there will be workshops with winemakers, sommeliers, and oenologists — from a Pfalz Riesling vertical tasting to an introduction to natural wine concepts. Live music will be performed daily on the Rotunde stage, from jazz trios on Thursday to DJ sets on Saturday. For those who want to celebrate longer: After-parties will take place on Friday and Saturday evenings in the neighboring Gleis 9 — the seamless transition from a glass of wine to the dance floor is part of the program.

Concept Since 2013

Founded in 2013, 'Weine vor Freude' has since established itself as a fixture in the wine and event scene of the Ruhr area. The organizers rely on the format of an urban wine fair with a relaxed atmosphere — no dress code, no overpriced stand fees, and none of the stiffness found at some wine events. Instead, winemakers meet a young, curious urban target audience that discovers wine as a lifestyle, not a status symbol.

Bochum and the Rotunde — Industrial Culture Meets Wine Culture

Bochum (around 365,000 inhabitants) is located in the center of the Ruhr area and combines industrial culture with a vibrant creative scene. The Rotunde, a former railway engine shed, is now one of the most important venues for concerts, conferences, and events in the city. Together with the directly adjoining Gleis 9 event hall, it forms an urban cluster that significantly shapes the atmosphere of 'Weine vor Freude' — wine in former industrial architecture, that's the Ruhr area at its finest.