„Winzergrab“ - Murder and manslaughter in the Selz Valley
The fog lies almost ghostly over the hills of Rheinhessen as I make my way to Essenheim. The valley hides mystically, as if under a thick blanket of absorbent cotton. Somehow it fits the theme for me today - I am approaching the locations of what is probably the best-known Rheinhessen crime series, whose crime scenes are all located in and around the small village on the outskirts of Mainz. Today we will be immersing ourselves in the story of Kurt-Otto Hattemer, the main character of the „Winzer“ book series written by author and winemaker Andreas Wagner. With his fifth local crime thriller „Vintner's grave“, he has once again hit the bull's eye with his readership.
Who hasn't heard of the popular Funzelfahrten in Rheinhessen; and it is at one of these events that the daughter of the village's most famous winegrower is found dead. Kurt-Otto, known to everyone as „Miss Marple from the village“, can't resist investigating. With plenty of wit and flair as well as a wealth of wine knowledge, Wagner succeeds in captivating the reader with an exciting murder mystery set against the Rhine-Hessian backdrop of greedy heirs, the annual fun run, wine tastings and local flair, and finally sheds light on the deeply dormant secrets.
Experience an entertaining crime thriller feeling
My visit to the Family winery in the old town center of the small Rhine-Hessian village also has many other highlights that are second to none:
For connoisseurs of the series, the crime thriller hike through the Essenheim district is a special experience. With Wagner's wine in our luggage, the approx. 8.3 km long hike takes us „from crime scene to crime scene“. Whether to the love nest at Schuttplatz, to the high seat from „Schlachtfest“ or to the „Herrgottsacker“. The route is not to be missed. At the signposted locations, we use a QR code to listen to the approx. 5-8-minute reading of the car at the exact location that appears in the book. A must-have for every fan of his books.
It's also worth tasting the Rheinhessen delicacies in the attractive wine shop in the adjoining wooden barrel cellar.
Get to know the author...
... is of course best enjoyed at one of his readings. His entertaining book readings, sometimes in combination with a wine tasting, find enthusiastic fans in Rheinhessen locations and throughout Germany. His thriller readings on the Mainz streetcar are highly popular and often fully booked. Further information can be found at here.
Grape Escape in the red wine cellar
Will we be able to make the newly created cuvée of the Domhof Winery from the cabinet of rarities before the cellar master returns?
This unique event has truly earned the title „Best of Wine Tourism Award 2019“ for innovative wine tourism.
For some years now, the Escape room in the Baumann family winery is a real highlight and the only one of its kind in Rheinhessen. Ancient steps lead down into the dusty cellar with its candle chandelier and dim candlelight - the atmosphere is definitely guaranteed.
The task of stealing the fine wine from its well-protected hiding place makes for an entertaining team event.
Ideally, 4-6 wine spies solve the wine-related escape puzzles in the old oak barrel cellar in the twilight. The burglars have 60 minutes to turn the key on the treasury grille and get their hands on the newly created Rhine-Hessian wine of inestimable value. Between old wooden barrels, vines, candlelight, mysterious crates and a suitcase, we delve into the secret of the Domhof. The puzzles involving corks, wine analysis values and even a vine in the cellar require the participants to be able to work out combinations and communicate well as a team. Logical thinking, a little wine knowledge and, of course, the right intuition for solving the puzzles will lead the group to the key to enjoyment in an entertaining way.
A solvable challenge for experienced escape players, those who need help are given a tip or two via the loudspeaker.
A great event for 2-8 people, don't forget warm clothes and off you go.
After the puzzle comes the pleasure
The Domhof offers business and leisure travelers in the adjoining „Schlafgut“ comfortably furnished double rooms and a cozy vacation apartment.
The modern creative cuisine in the restaurant within walking distance "Wine gold" rounds off the stay in Guntersblum and the vacation will remain in good memory for a long time.
Watch out amateur investigators: New case in Ingelheim
On the trail of the corpse - „SOKO Selztal“ investigates on a Thriller hike
Who wouldn't want to be part of a SOKO team and solve a crime?
On the provider's hike Tour Original around Ingelheim, we find mysterious finds and track down clues to the crime, of course we solve a criminal case together and have a lot of fun together. After successfully solving the crime, we will be accepted into the circle of investigators. The event is for individuals as Public appointment directly bookable. Groups of 12 people or more can request an individual offer.
In search of the red wine queen
When Nadja Graf-Niebling had the idea for TOUR Original, she had no idea how much potential it would have. Her idea was to explore Ingelheim in a playful and exciting way using modern means. Her aim was to provide tourists in particular with an experience that could be accessed at any time.
Today I get to meet up with her and her dog Nala on The search for the missing red wine queen make. Quickly download the required (free) app Actionbound I download the app, scan Nadja's QR code and off I go in search of the wine majesty of the red wine stronghold.
Tinne and Elvis are back - the long wait is over
Can the unlikely duo uncover the cathedral's biggest secret?
When I discovered the event at „Rheinhessen liest“, the countdown of anticipation began until the next reading of Weichmann's seventh „Schand“ adventure.
It was to be my third reading in a winery with an introduction to the freshly published crime novel by Dr. Helge Weichmann; so I knew that this was not just about reciting individual passages from the book, but about an entertaining evening of suspense and excellently researched background knowledge - paired with charm and wit - and of course a delicious Rheinhessen wine by the glass.
A bloody crossbow murder, the cathedral fire on the day of the consecration and Willigis’ legacy
In their new adventure, the protagonists Elvis, a local reporter for the AZ (Allgemeine Zeitung in Mainz), and art historian Tinne Nachtigall inevitably become entangled in the mysterious murder case in the cloister of Mainz Cathedral. In the face of death, the dying „cathedral carp“ whispers a clue to the „cathedral's greatest secret“ to Elvis with the last of his strength, leaving the shocked reporter with a riddle that draws him and Tinne into the crosshairs of the conspiracy. The trail leads all the way to Rome, changes through three eras and finally concludes with the big showdown under the cathedral, a gripping plot that captivates the reader from the very first sentence.
Weichmann knows how to combine historical knowledge and real personalities such as Bishop Peter Kohlgraf or AZ photographer Sascha Kopp with an exciting novel plot in an entertaining way.
As expected, „Fat“ Elvis and long-legged Tinne are masters of improvisation in their new novel, and the phenomenal historical knowledge and flair of the two take us into the mysterious history of St. Martin's Cathedral in Mainz.
Entertaining side events
Anyone familiar with the „Schand“ series will know that there is no shortage of funny incidents from „Kommune 47“ or the cat life of the commune cat „Mufti“. And Elvis has a crazy thought: maybe he and Tinne Nachtigall are just characters in a novel and don't actually exist in real life? Let us surprise you!
During the reading, the story of the cover development must not be missing and we listen to a scene that did not make it into the book and yet is extremely interesting and exciting... In any case, an entertaining evening, the book series should be on every Rheinhessen bookshelf. Have fun with it!
Find out more about Helge Weichman, his book series and reading dates at on this website.
Crime thriller, show, culinary delights - and the perfect illusion
Crime dinners have experienced a real hype in recent years. Whether at home with friends, as part of a private party or professionally on the big stage - the formats are diverse. One provider in Rheinhessen stands out in this respect: Fabian Kelly, who has been working with Kelly Entertainment not only offers murder mystery dinners, but also magic and comedy shows. I spoke to him about the idea, development and realization of his stories.
30 years on stage, not a bit of routine
He's been in the business for 30 years and started his career as a magician, but there's no trace of the daily grind and routine: Fabian Kelly, who was born in Rheinhessen and still has his roots here, tells me with shining eyes how he first came into contact with the topic of murder mystery dinners during a trip to England.
Today, his team consists of 30 employees with 15 dinner shows in the program. They write the stories themselves, and all other parts of the production remain in the hands of the team. This means that Kelly Entertainment is not only independent, but has also developed its very own signature style over the years. The themes of the shows, which are brought to life exclusively by professional actors and actresses, often relate to the Rheinhessen region. For example, the focus has already been on the election of the wine majesties. „We are at home here in the region and want to make this clear with our plays,“ emphasizes Fabian Kelly. Individual pieces are also developed specifically for a particular location. These are varied: in the Ingelheim wine cellar, the old district court of Oppenheim, the Junghof in Undenheim and various wineries. Regularly at the Crime dinner „Leiche ahoi“ on a cruise ship of the Bingen-Rüdesheimer Schiffahrtsgesellschaft murdered.
An evening to puzzle, empathize and enjoy
The offer is always combined with a culinary offer, which is why Fabian Kelly attaches great importance to reliable and high-quality gastronomic partners. Some shows, for example, are accompanied by a 5-course menu.
The individual shows not only differ thematically, but also in terms of the type of intensity, sometimes it's more theater, sometimes more show, and the degree of audience involvement also varies. Basically, Fabian Kelly and his fellow performers are very sensitive when it comes to actively involving their audience. It is important not to overstep any boundaries and to ensure that guests feel safe and are not put in uncomfortable situations. Shy guests in particular can let themselves go and trust in the team's experience.
But how much room for improvisation is there in a show? According to Fabian Kelly, this mainly depends on the audience. With active guests, it can be more, much to the delight of the team on stage. As a rule, however, the amount of improvisation is around 10%.
Fabian Kelly also benefits from his skills as a magician in the production. In combination with self-designed special effects, he creates illusions that make the performance on stage even more believable and impressive. The costumes are sewn in-house and some of them come from the Mainz State Theater's collection. Here, too, the love of detail is evident in order to realize a production entirely according to one's own creative ideas and wishes.
Conclusion: Kelly Entertainment's diverse program has something for everyone who appreciates a thrilling show and excellent cuisine. The plays and shows are absolutely unique, with a lot of passion and can only be seen in Rheinhessen.
