Ahrtal

• The Ahr is Germany's largest contiguous red wine-growing region, with over 80 percent red grape varieties.
• Germany’s smallest vineyard is located in the wine village of Walporzheim: The “Gärkammer” covers just 0.7 hectares but is considered one of the Ahr’s top vineyards.
• The world’s oldest registered winegrowers’ cooperative is located on the Ahr: founded in 1868, the Mayschoß-Altenahr Winegrowers’ Cooperative ranks among the best in Germany.
• Three of Germany’s most beautiful “wine views” are located in the Ahr Valley: the fascinating panoramic views at the Altenahrer Eck, the Dernauer Sonderberg, and the Saffenburg Castle ruins in Mayschoß.
• A royal honor: As the 2020/2021 German Wine Queen, Eva Lanzerath from the Ahr region served as an international ambassador for Germany’s 13 wine-growing regions.

It accounts for about 65 percent of the approximately 500 hectares of vineyards. It thrives especially well on the steep vineyard terraces in the valley. Manual labor is the name of the game here. The use of machinery is virtually impossible; all grapes are harvested by hand. Quality over quantity is therefore the motto along the Ahr.

Some of Germany’s best Pinot Noirs grow in the Ahr Valley, and there’s a reason for that: Here, the vines thrive on slate soils—combined with an almost Mediterranean microclimate—throughout the entire valley. These are ideal conditions for winemakers to use their great passion and the highest level of expertise to craft expressive, top-quality wines with unique structure, elegance, and rich fruitiness from the grapes.

No wonder, then, that the Ahr region receives numerous awards and accolades every year. And the Ahr is home to yet another specialty: the rather rare Blaue Frühburgunder, known for its fruity character and intense red color.

White Wine from Red Grapes

With about 80 percent red grape varieties, the Ahr is actually Germany’s largest contiguous red wine-growing region. But what about the white wines? In addition to excellent Rieslings and Pinot Blancs, the Ahr has established another new hallmark: the Blanc de Noir, a Pinot Noir pressed to produce white wine.