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 each year for their outstanding achievements.
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 „Architecture, Parks and Gardens“: Dr. Koehler Winery
„Please wait a moment - the doctor will be right there with a glass of Burgundy for you!“ Winemaker Christian Dreißigacker pays creative tribute to the founding fathers of the 1898-built Dr. Koehler Winery his reference. „Herr Doktor“ is the name of a white wine cuvée, a rosé is called „Doktorspiele“ and the alcohol-free Secco is appropriately called „Rezeptfrei“.
Suddenly „wine doctor“
Becoming a „wine doctor“ was not part of Christian Dreissigacker's life plan. Together with his younger brother Jochen, he ran the Dreissigacker family winery in Bechtheim.
What began as neighborly help at the Dr. Koehler winery in 2006 ended unexpectedly with the takeover of the traditional winery in 2007 - the committed Rheinhesse proved to be a „panacea“ for the business without a successor from the family. With vigor and passion, he developed the winery from 15 hectares to 43 hectares. Christian Dreißigacker single-mindedly opted for organic cultivation - and focused on Burgundy varieties. „There doesn't have to be a hundred items on the wine list - we concentrate on selected grape varieties: I have a knack for Burgundy grape varieties,“ is his philosophy. Through membership of the winegrowers„ associations “Message in a bottle" and Maxime origin Rheinhessen, the winery underlines its constant striving for quality.
Cooperation with a family business
The Dreißigacker brothers cooperate with their two wineries in terms of business management: They form a team when it comes to external operations, machinery and the bottling plant - but the collaboration ends in the fall. The grapes are pressed and vinified in the respective cellars - in terms of cellar management, the operations are completely separate.
According to the plans of Christian Dreißigacker, a modern cube has complemented the historic brick building from 1898 since 2022. „The big challenge was to add a new building to the old structure that blends harmoniously into the complex,“ said the client. The project was a success - old and new complement each other perfectly.
In the new, more minimalist gardens, the trees have largely been preserved. In the historic estate garden with its quarry stone walls, on the other hand, there are relaxed corners between flowering perennials, just like in the old days.
Culinary „consultation hour“
„Consultation hour“ is the stylish name of the after-work events at the Dr. Koehler winery - guests from all over the area enjoy being „treated“. Enthusiastic amateur chef Christian Dreissigacker is then at the stove himself, frying up his specialty: „Doktorburger“. Sometimes with grilled vegetables or with pulled pork and coleslaw. But it can also be couscous or homemade sausage salad. The excellent Burgundy wines are served „over the counter“: Chardonnay & Pinot Blanc Cuvée, Pinot Gris or would you prefer a Sauvignon Blanc?
The Cuvée Sekt Brut nature is also highly praised - similar to the grape varieties for champagne, it consists of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Black Riesling. It only goes on sale after 10 years of ageing and maturation.
Christian Dreißigacker's favorite wine is Chardonnay - it has been cultivated at the Dr. Koehler winery since the 1990s. The highly rated single-vineyard wine is matured for at least three years in French barrique barrels and impresses with its creamy smoothness.
The prize for the Great Wine Capitals Best of Wine Tourism Award 2026 in the „Architecture, Parks and Gardens“ category goes to the Dr. Koehler winery. The expert jury was fascinated by the „modern, cubic architecture, which deliberately contrasts with the historic buildings and at the same time creates a harmonious connection through carefully selected materials.“
