Spaetburgunder (Pinot Noir)Walk-ins welcomeOrtenau
This Buehl-Eisental cooperative pours nothing but Spaetburgunder, poured from the monkey-embossed Affenflasche the co-op has bottled under since the 1950s, at the Ortenau's northern edge.
Tip: The embossed monkey bottle makes a distinctive souvenir if you're buying a case to take home.
Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc), Spaetburgunder (Pinot Noir), RieslingAppointment onlyBadische Bergstrasse
Thirteen generations of the same family have worked this Leimen estate minutes from Heidelberg, and tastings here are the easiest Baden cellar-door stop for visitors based in the Rhine-Neckar area.
Tip: The closest VDP tasting room to Heidelberg; a realistic half-day add-on to a Heidelberg trip.
Riesling, Mueller-Thurgau, Souvignier GrisWalk-ins welcomeBodensee
A state-owned domain since the 1803 secularisation, farming 60 hectares, pours its Bodensee Riesling and newer disease-resistant Piwi crosses overlooking Lake Constance above Meersburg's old town.
Tip: Combine with the Vineum Bodensee wine museum a few minutes away for a full Meersburg wine afternoon.
Mueller-Thurgau, Silvaner, Spaetburgunder (Pinot Noir)Walk-ins welcomeTauberfranken
Set inside the former Cistercian Kloster Bronnbach on the Tauber, this vinothek pours wines from 24 growers across the Taubertal, a single stop for the district's Mueller-Thurgau and Silvaner.
Tip: Pair a tasting with the adjoining monastery shop and gardens, which keep the same Wednesday-to-Sunday hours.
Mueller-Thurgau, Bacchus, Silvaner, RieslingWalk-ins welcomeTauberfranken
Run by the Becksteiner winemakers' cooperative on shell-limestone terroir, this daily-open vinothek offers free tastings of Tauberfranken Mueller-Thurgau, Bacchus and Silvaner alongside a wine tavern and sun terrace.
Tip: Ask staff about the curated tasting packages, priced from roughly EUR 32 for a themed selection of bottles to take home.
Gutedel, NoblingWalk-ins welcomeMarkgraeflerland
At the historic Sonnenstueck site above Schliengen, this cooperative outlet pours Baden's signature Gutedel and sparkling Nobling, made by more than 760 member-grower families, with counter tastings during retail hours.
Tip: Ask to taste the Schloss Entenstein Nobling Sekt alongside the still Gutedel for a sense of the site's range.