Saarburg's town wine festival fills the old town and the Saar riverbank below the castle on the first weekend in September, pouring Saar wines with food and music.
Tip: Pair the festival with the floodlit Saarburg waterfall in the town centre and a climb to the SaarBurg for valley views over the vineyards.
Held on the last weekend of June around Zell's market square, this festival traditionally opens the Mosel's wine-festival season with a wine-queen crowning.
Tip: Try the namesake Zeller Schwarze Katz Riesling at its source; this is the first major Mosel fest each summer and less crowded than September's.
Cochem closes the wine year over the first two November weekends with a Federweissen festival on the Endertplatz, serving new wine with Zwiebelkuchen onion tart.
Tip: This is the season-ending festival, all about Federweisser and onion tart; come hungry and dress warm for the November riverside evenings.
One of the largest wine festivals on the entire Mosel, held around the first Sunday in September with a wine route, the Mosella crowning, a parade and fireworks.
Tip: Accommodation in Bernkastel sells out months ahead; stay in a neighbouring village and walk in along the riverside promenade.
A grower-run Riesling weekend in which dozens of Middle Mosel estates between Detzem and Wintrich open for vintage tastings, special pours and cellar parties.
Tip: Buy the wristband in advance and cluster your stations by village; the riverside towns sit close enough to walk or shuttle between several growers.
Top Saar estates open stations across the valley for a late-August weekend of Riesling tasting, showcasing the cooler, racier, mineral style of the Saar.
Tip: This is the easiest weekend to compare the leading Wiltingen and Saarburg growers side by side; ten stations open from midday.