Drinking wine is more than just imbibing – it is a social activity. A good bottle of wine becomes even better when you share it. For a long time, winemakers in Rheinhessen have looked beyond profits and embraced social projects in their region.This means the same people handle all the tasks from work in the vineyard to cellar work and distribution. This large variety of activities makes wineries the perfect option for inclusive wine tourism. A stellar example for this is the Dautermann winery from Ingelheim.
A visionary from Ingelheim
Kristian Dautermann learned of the possibility to cooperate with people with disabilities through a newspaper article. Having a brother with Down syndrome, Dautermann immediately sensed the possibilities of this cooperation. His vision was to give people with disabilities a chance to experience something new outside their usual environment.
Ever since, Dautermann is cooperating with them. Approximately every second week, they work in the vineyard. Not only does this provide inclusion to individuals with disabilities, but the winery itself also benefits, gaining new insights into how vineyard work can be perceived and understood.
Art and social inclusion
Dautermann quickly realized that this idea held more potential. The goal was to facilitate the integration of people with disabilities into the job market. Dautermann knew he needed a powerful image to promote his idea. This is where he joined forces with the artist Rainer Bonk. From this cooperation, the project “The Blue Sheep” was born. Under the patronage of the European Parliament, Bonk has been staging blue sheep since 2009 in open spaces in front of significant buildings. The message is: “Everyone is equal – everyone is important”. Ever since the Blue Sheep project has become a symbol of inclusion and successful social cooperation.
Today, Rheinhessen stands tall as one of the Great Wine Capitals of the world. A region sparkling with live and innovative wine tourism concepts. Thanks to Kristian Dautermann and the Blue Sheep project, Rheinhessen is one of the industry leaders when it comes to inclusive wine tourism as well.
Further information:
Learn more about Mainz | Rheinhessen Great Wine Capital
Dautermann – The Blue Sheep Project
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