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.
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.