Geisenheim is a town that’s known by a variety of interesting names; it’s known as Wine Town, School Town, Cathedral Town, and Lime Tree Town (there’s one in front of he Town Hall that’s over 700 years old). That’s a lot for a small Hessian town with not even 12,000 residents.
The wine moniker is rightfully fitting, since you’ll see vineyards as far as the eye can see. Schloss Johannisberg, a HUGE wine growing estate, has one of the largest vineyards around.
For you wineophiles, a colored cap on the bottle is an indication of what kind of wine it is, including one type known as “Late Vintage” which is green.
Right deadsmack in the middle of all the grapevines is a stele for the 50th parallel. Johannisberg also has its own basilica with beautiful art from the 14th through 20th centuries.
There are a few other palaces, burgs, and schlosses around Geisenheim. Palasi Ostein is from the 18th century, Schloss Kosakenberg from the 17th century (now a winery and restaurant), Schloss Schönborn was built in 1550, and the the 17th century Zwierlein Palace (with a Baroque Park) is now an apartment building. But, hands down it’s the 19th century Villa Monrepos that will totally knock your socks off.
Rheingau Cathedral might do that, too. The original nave of the church was built in the 1500’s, but the church underwent major renovations a few centuries later. Rheingau Cathedral is where you’ll go to enjoy some musical entertainment during the Rheingau Music Festival.
Concerts are also held at Schloss Johannisberg and other venues across Geisenheim.
That isn’t the only party Geisenheim throws. On the second weekend in July is the Geisenheimer Lindenfest and on the first weekend in September is some sort of “Grape Festival.”
No matter what you call Geisenheim (Wine Town, Castle Town, etc), one thing is for sure — you’re bound to call your stay one hellava good time!
