Prominentenweinberg

Who would have thought that a vineyard could boast such star power? Here at the Prominentenweinberg in Mainz, it’s not just grapes that grow, but legacies. The Prominentenweinberg, nestled at the foot of the citadel, overlooks the picturesque Mainz Altstadt. This isn’t your average vineyard. It’s a testament to the city’s rich wine culture, a place where prominent figures from around the world have left their mark, literally. Established in 2005 by the Mainz Wine Senate, the Prominentenweinberg is a unique blend of viticulture and celebrity. Luminaries such as Nobel Peace Prize winner Lech Walesa, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and former ZDF director Markus Schächter have all planted vines here. Imagine, a single vineyard where the fruits of labor are shared by such diverse personalities. Each prominent planter receives a bottle of wine from their own vine every year, a tangible connection to this special place. In 2007, Markus Schächter and Cardinal Karl Lehmann planted the very first vines, inaugurating this unique tradition. But the Prominentenweinberg isn’t just about modern-day celebrities. It also holds a piece of viticultural history. In 2016, during the WINZER-EURO 2016 finals, the Slovenian winemaking team gifted the vineyard an offshoot of the oldest vine in the world from Maribor, Slovenia. This precious vine, planted by Danilo Steyer, President of the Slovenian winemaking team, further enriches the Prominentenweinberg’s historical significance. As you stand here, overlooking the city, you can almost taste the rich history and the promise of future vintages. The Prominentenweinberg isn’t just a vineyard; it’s a living tapestry of history, celebrity, and the enduring legacy of wine in Mainz.