Wine and crime in Essenheim
Many of us like to drink wine while reading a good book. And if you think about it, there are many connections between wine and literature. Both require time and patience to grow and mature – not to mention skill and dedication to bring to perfection. Andreas Wagner from the Wagner winery in Essenheim possesses all of these qualities. Apart from his day job of running the Wagner winery, the renowned Rheinhessen wine maker loves to write murder mystery novels. Over the years, he has penned as many as 15 books.
For Andreas, writing and wine-making are two sides of the same coin. “They both allow me to express myself creatively” he says. The thrilling plot of his novels usually revolves around wine culture and is rich in local traditions and folklore. His books are written in his signature witty style and feature extraordinary insights into the wine business and local rural culture. His success has secured a place for Rheinhessen in the realm of literature. It is also good news for the book lovers among us: There will be plenty of opportunities to enjoy Wagner wines while reading Wagner novels.
Morstein culture festival
Have you ever heard of the Morstein culture festival? It is one of the best cultural events in Rheinhessen. The Morstein estate is located in Westhofen, just south of Mainz. The romantic little castle from the 19th century resides over the vineyards and serves as a hotel, a restaurant and an event location. Apart from that, it is also home to a successful open-air culture festival. Owner Stefan Spies used his connections to establish Morstein manor as a booming cultural hub that hosts many events in its underground vault.
When the pandemic hit in spring of 2020, this boom came to a sudden halt. Holding indoor events was no longer possible because of health restrictions. Stefan came up with the idea to hold open-air concerts instead, that were in line with local regulations. It turned out that Rheinhessen locals were enchanted by the concept of open-air concerts in the summertime. It quickly caught on and the Morstein culture festival became an integral part of the local music scene. The festival includes a variety of musical styles and ranges from classical music to jazz and contemporary music.
The Morstein festival is a story of success in the face of adversity and a prime example of how wine and art go hand in hand in Rheinhessen. It comes to no surprise that Morstein estate has won a GWC award for wine and culture.
Wilmshof winery: where art and wine flow freely
What happens when an artist and an interior architect take over a winery? It becomes a mix of a wine bar and art gallery. This is exactly what happened with the Wilmshof winery in Selzen. Tobias (the artist) and Katrin (the architect) met as students in Mainz. After they got married, they moved in with Katrin’s parents, who owned a winery in Selzen, Rheinhessen. Originally, they were not interested in taking over the business. However, they changed their minds later on and immersed themselves in the wine business.
Apart from making excellent wines, the couple has unleashed its creative potential by releasing wine-related artwork. “Wine is art” is their guideline when it comes to being creative. One of the most popular items are their colourful coasters. Every year they release a new design featuring a different artwork. It is a simple yet clever idea create to a cute little wine accessory. Customers also appreciate highly styled shopping bags and matchboxes. Among the highlights are the many art exhibitions that take place around the winery. Agricultural businesses usually feature large, open structures: Barnes, warehouses, stables and more. These are not only perfect for storing machinery but also for displaying all kinds of art, from paintings to sculptures and more.
In Rheinhessen, wine is art and art is wine. This special relationship can take many forms as in Andreas Wagner’s novels, the Morstein festival or the holistic approach by Tobias and Katrin Mohr. So next time you travel to Rheinhessen, make sure you take the time to explore them.
Further information:
Learn more about Mainz | Rheinhessen Great Wine Capital
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