The Best of Wine Tourism Award of the Great Wine Capitals is an annual award presented by the Great Wine Capitals Global Network. Once a year, wine producers, companies from tourism, gastronomy and the hotel industry from the member regions take part in the competition. First, the best are determined in a preliminary decision at national level, after which the winners face an international comparison. In various categories - from „art and culture“ and „hosts“ to „sustainable wine tourism“ - committed players are recognized for their outstanding achievements every year.
In four episodes, we will introduce you to the establishments that stand out this year with their special wine tourism offers.
Great Wine Capitals Best of Wine Tourism Award 2026 in the category „Wine Gastronomy“: Restaurant Hundertguldenmühle
The former grain mill, which is over 300 years old, is called Hundert Gulden, just like the even older vineyard from the 14th century next door. The name refers to the Rhenish gold guilder, which was used to pay for Germany's most carbon-rich vineyard when it changed hands - a gold treasure with vines!
Since 2014, Eva Eppard has been cooking in the lovingly restored Hundertgulden Mill Appenheim in a big way. After culinary apprenticeships in renowned restaurants and on the high seas, the passionate chef has created a gastronomic beacon in her home town. „The Hundertguldenmühle is unique for me - a place of peace and tranquillity!“ she says with joyful pride.
The feel-good factor is already apparent on the footpath through the idyllic greenery to the restaurant. As you enter through the historic door into the cozy rooms with their modern country house furnishings, exposed wooden beams and comfy seating, you feel at home.
Most of the wines served are regional: mainly from Rheinhessen, but the Rheingau, Nahe and Pfalz regions are also represented. Eva Eppard herself and her restaurant manager Maria Kania know their way around and take care of the wine purchasing.
The long list of wines on offer is almost exclusively from Rheinhessen and the extensive bottled wine list is cleverly composed - with moderate prices. Very down-to-earth: Wine spritzers are even served in the Palatinate half-liter „Dubbeglas“.
The wines go perfectly with the ambitious chef's regional, seasonal Mediterranean cuisine: a five-course menu in spring, for example, with confit brown trout, coq au vin, fresh asparagus and strawberries. In addition to the successful vegetarian menu, the down-to-earth chef also offers a 3-course menu during the week and the classic: a perfect Wiener schnitzel.
The Hundertguldenmühle is a meeting place for gourmets - but those who drop by later in the evening and just want to enjoy a snack with their wine are also welcome.
Whether in the cozy rooms of the mill or on the green meadow in the garden with a view of the „Appenheimer Hundertgulden“ vineyard: food, wine and landscape offer a successful unity.
The Rhine-Hessian has made a great personal commitment and invested in her home: Eva Eppard bought and renovated the building - and created a gem.
Her success proves her right: her happy customers come from the region, but also from further afield - even from Luxembourg.
The Hundertguldenmühle is strategically located at the intersection of several hiking trails: The "Hiwweltour Bismarck Tower" leads past the mill. The restaurant is also a stamping station for the famous European Pilgrimage trail „Way of St. James“. Whether hikers or business people attending conferences at the mill: they all appreciate the cuisine and the wine selection.
Particularly popular with guests is the House party on October 31: „We call it ‚Hallowein‘ instead of Halloween: a kitchen party with music, lots of wine and food stations throughout the house!“ says Eva happily.
And her favorite wine? „A Pinot Blanc-Chardonnay cuvée from the region - or even better: a mineral Riesling single-vineyard wine from the Hundertgulden vineyard!“
The prize for the Great Wine Capitals Best of Wine Tourism Award 2026 in the „Wine Gastronomy“ category goes to the Hundertguldenmühle restaurant for „an original offer with a unique Rheinhessen connection“ - according to the expert jury.
