Weinfest am Rhein — Rheinauhafen

Wine Market on the Rhine Embankment

Cologne, the Rhenish metropolis and independent city in the administrative district of Cologne, boasts one of the most spectacular waterfront venues in Germany with Rheinauhafen. The former port industrial complex between Severinsbrücke and Südbrücke is now a mix of office high-rises (Kranhäuser), apartments, and experiential gastronomy. From August 5th to 9th, 2026, the area between Harry-Blum-Platz and Elisabeth-Treskow-Platz will transform into a Mediterranean wine market — one of the most beautiful wine events in Western Germany.

111 Wines from Over 10 Regions

The 2026 wine selection will feature around 111 wines — red, white, rosé — from over ten European growing regions. From Germany: Rheinhessen (Germany's largest wine region), Franken (with the famous Bocksbeutel bottle), Saar (Riesling tradition), Baden (warm growing region in the southwest), Pfalz (Riesling and Pinot Blanc). From abroad: French Côtes du Rhône, Greek wines, Mallorcan vintages — a remarkable Mediterranean selection that transports the feeling of a Spanish-Greek wine market to Cologne.

Exhibitor Highlights

Participating wine shops and wineries include IMI Winery from Pfalz, Schloss Ortenberg from Baden, Reverchon from Saar, mygreekwine with a special Greek selection, KORBUS (Franken & Mallorca), and Wine & Glory with a worldwide selection. The mix of German and international wines distinguishes the Weinfest am Rhein from most typical wine festivals in Germany.

Star Chef Maximilian Lorenz

Culinary delights at the festival are curated by Cologne's star chef Maximilian Lorenz — the youngest Maître Cuisinier in Rhenish haute cuisine. He will offer Flammkuchen variations (classic, vegetarian, creative), French fries with his own sauces, Mediterranean sausage specialties, cheese platters with European selections, and for a sweet finish, Crème brûlée with various flavors. The dishes are portioned — perfect for wine tasting.

Cashless and Mediterranean

The festival operates completely cashless — credit cards, EC cards, and debit cards are accepted. This practice has become increasingly common at European wine festivals and speeds up the tasting process. The Mediterranean atmosphere, with views across the Rhine to Cologne's Old Town, lounge furniture, umbrellas, and quiet background music, makes the event a sophisticated summer gathering.

Getting There and Practical Information

Rheinauhafen is accessible by public transport — KVB lines 16 and 17 (stop: Schokoladenmuseum) will take visitors directly to the festival grounds. By car: Rheinauhafen parking garage or parking garages in the southern Old Town. Approximately a 25-minute walk from Cologne Central Station across the Severinsbrücke. Free admission. For those who wish to stay longer, combine the wine festival with a visit to the Chocolate Museum or a stroll through the southern Old Town.