Mention wine in Stuttgart and you're talking in superlatives: local vintners are regularly awarded prizes for their wines.

Prize-winners: The Weinfactum Bad Cannstatt distinguished itself with two gold medals at the Mundus Vini International Wine Awards: for the "2011 Réserve Masterblend No. 1 Red Wine Cuvée" and the "2015 Pinot Blanc dry". Two winners of the German Red Wine Award also come from the region. The Weinmanufaktur Untertürkheim received a prize for its "2013 Lemberger *** dry, barrique-matured", making it the best German Lemberger, while the Weingut Karl Haidle received the prize in the category "New Variety" for its "2012 Zweigelt 'Passion' Württemberg".

As far back as the 3rd century AD, Roman emperors had vineyards planted all over the state. By the 16th century Stuttgart was already one of the largest wine-growing communities in the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation. The main wines grown in the Stuttgart Region today are the red varieties Lemberger, Spätburgunder and Trollinger. Trollinger is as inextricably linked to the region as Porsche and Mercedes-Benz are to Stuttgart. This fruity, light red wine matures late and can also be enjoyed when it is still young, nicely chilled. Originally this vine with its large grapes came from the South Tyrol and Trentino, where it goes under the name of Vernatsch. Nevertheless it would seem likely that the name "Trollinger" is a corruption of "Tirolinger“. As far as white wines are concerned, Riesling leads the field and is made into outstanding wines by local vintners. Other varieties include Kerner, Silvaner and Müller Thurgau. In addition, Sauvignon Blanc is gaining in popularity with wine drinkers, and therefore also in importance with wine growers. The state capital of Stuttgart is the only German city to own 17.5 hectares of municipal vineyards, spread over six different locations.

Stuttgart's topography is unique in Germany. The city centre seems to nestle in a basin, enclosed by green hills. Thanks to this unique location, vineyards can even be found in the centre of town. In order to be able to access the steep terraces, vintners built flights of steps and paths in the second half of the 19th century. More than 400 of these "Stäffele", or steps, are still in existence today. Climbing them all would involve negotiating a total 20 km of steps.

One of the finest views of Stuttgart's vineyards and the idyllic Neckar valley can be enjoyed from the historic hill known as the Württemberg. In the 11th century this was the site of the castle of the founders of the House of Württemberg. In 1820, following the premature death of his beloved consort, the Grand Princess Katharina of Russia, King Wilhelm I erected a burial chapel here. At the foot of the Württemberg in Stuttgart-Uhlbach, the Stuttgart Museum of Viniculture offers a tour through a thousand years of wine-growing history that involves all the senses. Original wine barrels, numerous pieces of equipment, certificates, maps and other documents are on display. A "Viertele" (quarter litre) of wine in the museum's Vinothek is the perfect way to round off the visit. A special highlight is the "Friday Wine Tasting", where a wine expert introduces participants to three of Stuttgart's wines.

The "Stuttgart Wine Trail" is conceived as a circular walk, and the well-signposted route can be joined and left at any point. It invites you to discover the wonderful slopes, idyllic spots, scenic lookouts and interesting attractions on a choice of trails through the vineyards.

There are many wine festivals held throughout the year, such as the Fellbach Autumn Festival (12th – 15th October 2018), the "Night of the Cellars" in Weinstadt or the Stuttgart Wine Festival, one of Germany's biggest and best wine festivals. From 29th August to 9th September 2018 more than 500 different wines from Baden and Württemberg can be sampled. To go with them, chefs serve Swabian specialities such as "Kässpätzle" (cheesy noodles), "Maultaschen" (filled pasta) or potato noodles with sauerkraut.

A typical feature of the wine region of Stuttgart is its "Besenwirtschaften", or "Broom Taverns": temporary wine taverns that only open for twelve weeks of the year. The name derives from the broom that hangs at the door to show they are open for business. Only the wine grower's own wine may be sold. It is usually served in traditional fashion, not in a long-stemmed glass, but in the glasses with a handle that are typical of the region.

Source and photo: Stuttgart-Marketing GmbH