The Bad Duerkheim Wurstmarkt has been held on the second and third weekends of September since 1417, drawing more than 600,000 annual visitors. Over 150 Bad Duerkheim wines pour from around 50 stations around the Riesenfass.
Address: St.-Michaels-Allee 1, 67098 Bad Duerkheim, Germany, Pfalz
Moderated vertical tasting at Dr. Buerklin-Wolf in Wachenheim across multiple vintages of estate G.C. Rieslings from Forst Kirchenstueck, Jesuitengarten, Ungeheuer and Pechstein. Demeter-certified biodynamic Riesling flights.
Guided vineyard walk with VDP president Steffen Christmann or daughter Sophie through the Idig, Reiterpfad and Mandelgarten Grosse Lage parcels in Gimmeldingen, followed by an estate Riesling tasting back at the manor.
Guided cellar tour at Weingut von Winning in Deidesheim including a glass of sparkling wine on arrival, three estate wines tasted in the cellar, and an optional three-course wine-paired menu at the on-site Leopold Restaurant.
Culinary wine tasting at Weingut Knipser in Laumersheim, with structured flights of estate Riesling, Spaetburgunder and the avant-garde Bordeaux-blend cuvees including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Gelber Orleans paired with regional plates.
172-kilometre Pfaelzer Weinsteig long-distance trail along the eastern Pfaelzerwald, passing through Bockenheim, Bad Duerkheim, Wachenheim, Deidesheim, Forst, Hambach and Schweigen. Multi-day or themed day hikes with vinothek stops along the way.
Annual late-August Sunday when the 85-kilometre Deutsche Weinstrasse closes to cars, opening up the wine road for cyclists and pedestrians between Bockenheim and Schweigen. Vinothek and Hoffest stops at participating Pfalz growers along the route.
