When visitors are asked about the strengths of our beautiful region, the most common answer is probably Rheinhessen's hospitality and the casual celebrations and enjoyment in a wide variety of locations amidst the rolling vineyards. They can do that, the people of Rheinhessen; but what they can also do is preserve and appreciate historical treasures and wake them up from their slumber if necessary.
If you combine pleasure and culture, the path inevitably leads to these four places in Rheinhessen. Join me on a pleasure tour in a historic setting.
Zornheimer wine taverns
Right next to the Catholic Church of St. Bartholomew in Zornheim stands a pretty half-timbered house and this is where our culinary journey begins. In the summer months, the cozy terrace on the Röhrenbrunnenplatz invites visitors to enjoy the balmy summer evenings with Rhine-Hessian and Mediterranean dishes. When you enter the nostalgic 17th century house through the centuries-old, mighty wooden door, you immediately feel "at home". Fresh flowers, intricate little rooms, lovingly decorated niches and gracefully laid tables - this is the place to be on four floors. "Zornheimer Weinstube" is home to the restaurant. For almost 20 years, master chef Lucas Christgen and his wife Marijana have been running the detailed and refined restaurant, which was once a bakery, later a farm and finally the home of the sexton, with palpable enthusiasm and charm. Long abandoned to demolition, an architect with a passion for historical treasures awoke the property from its slumber and gave the house a new purpose over 30 years ago.
The old vaulted cellar contains international rarities that can be purchased as bottled wine. The menu features only open wines from Rheinhessen winegrowers, carefully selected for guests who are used to only the best.
In the kitchen, Lucas Christgen conjures up typical Rhine-Hessian specialties as well as delicacies from Mediterranean cuisine. On the menu we find, for example, a Rhine-Hessian Riesling foam soup or a bouillabaisse for soup lovers. Vitello tonnato, king prawns fried in garlic and herbs, scallops, a blood and liver sausage strudel, tarte flambée or "Viennese style" schnitzel from young pork with rosemary potatoes and much more make the choice for hungry guests no easy decision. With new creations, the menu changes its focus seasonally and is always full of variety.
But one thing is certain: here, Rhine-Hessian hospitality is lived and no wishes remain unfulfilled for wine lovers.
Open from Wednesday to Saturday from 5 pm, Sunday from 12 pm to 2 pm and from 5 pm. Monday and Tuesday are closed. More information and reservations online at www.zornheimer-weinstuben.de.
Historic winery in Dexheim
Our journey now takes us to a small mountain village in Rheinhessen, Dexheim, to master winemaker Gerhard Blödel at the Historic winery. Everyone in the wine-growing community knows him for his passion for archaeological finds, his love of fine glassware, Roman food and, of course, wine.
With his head full of plans and new ideas, he has turned his hobby into a profession. The question of whether the Romans brought viticulture to Rheinhessen never left him. And so his idea developed to restore the cow chapel from 1848 on the family estate to its former glory. Where the cows once had their home, he now offers his guests a special kind of hospitality. There is not "just" a wine tavern under the columned cross vault. It is more like a small museum of ancient finds from Roman times relating to wine and food culture, which have been in the family for many decades. Wine glasses from various eras adorn the walls in display cases and on shelves. But not just for decoration, all of them are available for purchase on site or in his online store. Gerhard is enthusiastic about cataloging and determining the period from which all of his rare works of art originate and passionately conveying them to a new owner.
And in between, people from near and far sit together in his seasonally open wine tavern and taste his young, elegant wines and enjoy the Roman dishes. But not only Roman dishes such as warm Roman venison sausage with turnip vegetables and raspberry-horseradish sauce can be found on his menu. Hearty Rhine-Hessian dishes such as hand cheese tartare, vintner's roast, feta cheese with beet or a vintner's carpaccio round off the menu. And you can also enjoy the excellent wines from his own vineyards in a wine-loving mood.
A special highlight is the bookable candlelight dinner in the old wooden barrel cellar. Up to 4 people can dine romantically by candlelight. A magical place for a special occasion.
His greatest wish becomes reality here for all visitors: to combine history and culture with wine and food culture. His motto: #wirliebenwaswirtun
A visit that will leave a lasting impression.
Opening hours in spring and fall for 6 weeks. Friday and Saturday from 6 pm to 11 pm and Sunday from 3 pm to 10 pm. More information and current opening hours on www.weingut-historic.de.
A guest at Germany's oldest citizens' hospital HEILIG-GEIST in Mainz
The striking building was built in the late Romanesque style in 1236 by Archbishop Siegfried III von Eppstein as a citizens' hospital for the city of Mainz; today it is part of the city's cultural heritage. At the time, the hospital provided accommodation for pilgrims, the homeless, the poor, the elderly and the sick until its closure in 1804, after which it was used for various purposes until the roof was set on fire during an air raid on February 27, 1945. After being restored, it served as a popular dance hall in the 1950s. The first restorations took place in 1975, until the last major renovation in 1999 made the listed HEILIG-GEIST shine in new splendor.
From the outside, the building reminds me a little of "One Thousand and One Nights". When you enter the former hospital, you find the flair of a sacred church building with late Romanesque arches. A spacious restaurant area offers visitors an impressive ambience in the heart of Mainz. Here, guests are treated to refined à la carte dishes as well as tempting set menus. The culinary experiences are accompanied by an exquisite wine list that extends far beyond the borders of Rheinhessen. Champagne and sparkling wine, as well as delicious drinks from the talented bartenders, ensure an all-round successful evening in a stylish atmosphere.
The outdoor restaurant is also open in summer temperatures.
Photographer: Stephan Vogel - vogelsfotos | Image rights: Heilig Geist Gastronomie GmbH
Monday to Thursday: 17:30 - 23:00 (terrace until 23:00)
Friday and Saturday: 17:30 - 00:00 (terrace until 00:00)
Reservations under reservierung@heiliggeist.de.
More info on www.heiliggeist.de.
GUT LEBEN am Morstein in Westhofen
We will be guests in a small castle in the Wonnegau wine-growing community. The restaurant GUT LEBEN am Morstein bears the name of the most renowned single vineyard in the municipality of Westhofen and has also adopted the quality standards of the winegrowers in the area. Under the motto of "sophisticated cuisine that makes everyone happy", a culinary flight of fancy awaits us in Stefan Spies' Winzerschlösschen right on the outskirts of the wine-growing community in Wonnegau.
Enjoyment in a historic ambience: we are on a journey back in time to several eras. The architect has designed the property eclectically. The mix of styles from different eras such as Art Nouveau, Historicism, Baroque, Classicism and the Wilhelminian era can be experienced down to the last detail in the rooms.
The overall composition of the upscale ambience with original furniture, panelling and furnishings from the period and the culinary delights with matching exquisite wines from the region underline the motto "Enjoy life". Regional sourcing of the best ingredients and creative preparation, especially of plant-based dishes, are transformed into exciting and delicious dishes here. The herbs come from the restaurant's own "Morstein herb garden" and transform the dishes into an extraordinary explosion of flavor.
Particularly recommended are the stuffed kohlrabi cannelloni with Granny Smith salad and lemon whey, refined with pimpernel chive oil and macadamia slivers; followed by a braised celeriac roulade with maitake mushrooms and La Ratte mashed potatoes and BBQ jus. To top it all off, the grilled vineyard peach with raspberry pannacotta and peach and thyme sorbet is the sweet finale.
With its restaurant, hotel, conference center, event location and cooking school, GUT LEBEN am Morstein creates a place for diverse enjoyment.
Open Wednesday to Sunday evenings and Sunday lunchtimes.
Reservations can be made by calling 06244 9198660.
More info on www.am-morstein.de
A tip: Take part in the "Enjoy Rheinhessen" even more establishments with historic vaults and parlors are taking part, but modern ambience also exudes the Rhine-Hessian way of life. Take a look.
12 Responses
Great article! Many thanks for the good tips, I will definitely try them out
With pleasure 🙂
Have fun exploring!
Dear Katja, what a great blog! Reading it makes you feel immediately taken away... I'd love to read more from you. Kind regards Bettina
Dear Bettina,
I'm delighted that you liked my blog article.
Feel free to browse and of course try them out!
Dear Katja! Thank you once again for your great tips! We look forward to trying everything out at the next opportunity!
It's nice to see what culinary treasures and historical locations are hidden in Rheinhessen that we don't yet know about!
Dear Nicole, have fun exploring the culinary treasures of our homeland.
Dear Katja, great selection with a unique historical background. Very nice and detailed description, makes you want to visit, best regards, Ulrike
Dear Ulli, thank you!
Then reserve a table right away...
Very nice blog!
These are very nice excursion destinations in Rheinhessen!
We already know a few of them and can only confirm the great cuisine and ambience!
Many greetings
Michael Sander
Dear Michael!
As a true Rheinhesse, you already know many insider tips...
I'm glad that I like my blog article 🙂
Dear Katja, another great post that invites you to try it out - perhaps with dear friends...😉😘.
Kind regards, Beate
Dear Beate,
Having you as companions on my exploration tours is simply wonderful!!!