Julia and Carolin, both 71st German Wine Princesses, visited our wine growing region in late July 2020. Our own three Middle Rhine Wine Majesties Marie, Wiebke and Johanna accompanied Julia and Carolin on their two day, 120 km trip.

We started off just south of the former German capital Bonn in Koenigswinter and Rhoendorf, the northern most part of our region. Our wine makers Bloeser, Broel and Pieper from North-Rhine Westphalia gave the ladies a warm welcome in the vineyards below the "Drachenfels" (dragon rock).

Next stop was Leutesdorf, the largest wine growing town of the Lower Middle Rhine Valley. Programm: A 4km hike through the vineyards with a stop at the newly installed vineyard swing and best vineyard view 2020. The program was led by Gotthard Emmerich and the WeinSteig-Winemakers in cooperation with the VVV Leutesdorf.

Dinner was served on the terrace of beautiful Castle Sterrenberg, high above the town of Kamp-Bornhofen. The royalties received information on our area's unique flora and fauna and enjoyed a spectacular sunset above the river. The royalties got a good night's rest at Hotel Zum Weissen Schwanen in Braubach.

Day two started off early in Doerscheid at Hotel Fetz with an introduction to the Riesling Charta and a discussion on wine (growing) politics. Heinz-Uwe Fetz, presdent of our regional wine maker association and vice president of the German wine maker association led the discussion.

Only a quick ferry ride later, on the left banks of the river, the Philipps brothers Thomas and Martin gave a briefing on how they recultivate vineyards in St. Goar. After a nice lunch in the Philipps Mill winery the royalties headed to Bacharach.

On the banks of the river, the local Bacchus gave a warm welcome to the group. Afterwards, we discovered the medieval town by foot and climbed many steps to the historic Werner chapel. Winemakers Anne Kauer and Cecilia Jost treated the group to Riesling ice cream (locally made with Riesling from Cecilia's winery). After visits to the two wineries, the royalties headed back home. What remains? Two days full of hot sunny weather, lots of great wines, fantastic food and heaps of new impressions, new friendships and the highest appreciation for the winemakers' tough work in our steep hill vineyards.

We would like to express our deepest gratitude to all winemakers and other members, as well as politicians, and all other helping hands that made this trip possible and memorable!.

Below, you find some impressions of the visit.