Palatinate · Sub-regions
Südliche Weinstraße (Grenze zum Elsass)
The southernmost tip of the Palatinate borders directly on Alsace. Alsatian varieties meet Palatinate winemaking here — Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris thrive in this unique border terroir.
Grape Varieties
Riesling, Gewürztraminer
Pinot Gris, Dornfelder
Most Famous Site
Schweigener Sonnenberg
Vineyard Area
1.100 ha
Harvest
October
TERROIR PROFILE · Palatinate
Südliche Weinstraße (Grenze zum Elsass) Border zone to Alsace — warmest Pfalz spot
Schweigen, Birkweiler, Siebeldingen — Pfalz at Alsace level. Friedrich Becker, Rebholz, Wehrheim.
SOILS
Limestoneprecise, mineral
Limestone delivers tension, structure and a cooler, more mineral character.
Muschelkalk limestoneprecise, salty-mineral
Muschelkalk yields a crisp mineral acidity and salty depth.
Loambody-rich, velvety
Loamy soils give wines volume and a soft, velvety mouthfeel.
Loessround, fruity, full
Loess stores water and nutrients. Wines tend to be rounder, juicier and fuller.
CLIMATE · Warm · Dry · Sunny
Warmest and driest part of Pfalz — almost Alsatian climate.
TOPOGRAPHY · gentle
Gentle Vosges foothills, Mediterranean landscape.
WHAT IT MEANS IN THE GLASS
Typical Flavours of the Region
Riesling
WhiteGewürztraminer
WhiteGrauburgunder
WhiteDornfelder
RedRegion aroma cloud
Palatinate overview
This sub-region is part of Palatinate. The map shows all 5 sub-regions — Südliche Weinstraße (Grenze zum Elsass) is highlighted.
Overview
Typical Varieties
Terroir & Climate
Wine Character
The southernmost part of the Palatinate borders directly on Alsace and uniquely combines Palatinate and Alsatian wine culture. Across 1,100 hectares, aromatic wines of pronounced character emerge: Gewürztraminer achieves its finest expression here, while Pinot Gris shows Alsatian depth. The Schweigener Sonnenberg is the most famous site. The climate is warm and dry with long ripening seasons that favour full aromatic expression. The cross-border wine culture creates a distinctive regional character that attracts visitors from both countries.
Soil Type
Coloured sandstone, granite, deep loess soils
Climate
Very warm and dry; southernmost climate of the Palatinate; Alsatian influence
Top profiles
2 detailed profiles — all filterable in the list below
Weingut Friedrich Becker
Pfalz · Südliche Weinstraße (Grenze zum Elsass) · Schweigen-Rechtenbach
Spätburgunder, Chardonnay, Weißburgunder
Becker's Wein- & Sekthaus
Pfalz · Südliche Weinstraße (Grenze zum Elsass) · Schweigen-Rechtenbach
Riesling, Spätburgunder, Pinot Noir
All Wineries
16 resultsWeingut Friedrich Becker
Pfalz · Südliche Weinstraße (Grenze zum Elsass) · Schweigen-Rechtenbach
Spätburgunder, Chardonnay, Weißburgunder
Becker's Wein- & Sekthaus
Pfalz · Südliche Weinstraße (Grenze zum Elsass) · Schweigen-Rechtenbach
Riesling, Spätburgunder, Pinot Noir
Weingut Beck
Pfalz · Südliche Weinstraße (Grenze zum Elsass) · Oberotterbach
Weingut Brunck
Pfalz · Südliche Weinstraße (Grenze zum Elsass) · Oberotterbach
Weingut Cuntz Sonnenhof
Pfalz · Südliche Weinstraße (Grenze zum Elsass) · Schweigen-Rechtenbach
Weingut Ebinger GbR
Pfalz · Südliche Weinstraße (Grenze zum Elsass) · Oberotterbach
Weingut Fischer
Pfalz · Südliche Weinstraße (Grenze zum Elsass) · Schweighofen
Weingut Gerhard Beck
Pfalz · Südliche Weinstraße (Grenze zum Elsass) · Schweigen-Rechtenbach
Weingut Helck
Pfalz · Südliche Weinstraße (Grenze zum Elsass) · Freckenfeld
Weingut Hey
Pfalz · Südliche Weinstraße (Grenze zum Elsass) · Oberotterbach
Weingut Hitzinger
Pfalz · Südliche Weinstraße (Grenze zum Elsass) · Bad Bergzabern
Weingut Karin und Uwe Geisser
Pfalz · Südliche Weinstraße (Grenze zum Elsass) · Schweigen-Rechtenbach
Weingut Oerther
Pfalz · Südliche Weinstraße (Grenze zum Elsass) · Schweigen-Rechtenbach
Weingut Otto und Andreas Beck
Pfalz · Südliche Weinstraße (Grenze zum Elsass) · Schweigen-Rechtenbach
Weingut Straßer
Pfalz · Südliche Weinstraße (Grenze zum Elsass) · Niederotterbach
Winzerhof Brendel
Pfalz · Südliche Weinstraße (Grenze zum Elsass) · Oberotterbach
Events in Palatinate
All events in Palatinate →25 Sept – Sun, 4 October 2026
Fest des Federweißen Landau
Wine festival · Landau in der Pfalz
2 Oct – Mon, 12 October 2026
Deutsches Weinlesefest Neustadt
Wine festival · Neustadt an der Weinstraße
Sat, 20 March 2027
Meininger's Finest 100 – Große Rieslingprobe
Tasting · Neustadt an der Weinstraße
20 Mar – Sun, 21 March 2027
Mandelblütenfest Gimmeldingen
Wine festival · Neustadt-Gimmeldingen
25 Apr – Mon, 26 April 2027
VDP.Weinbörse Mainz
Tasting · Mainz
13 Aug – Mon, 23 August 2027
Deidesheimer Weinkerwe
Wine festival · Deidesheim
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Alsace border location interesting for wine?
The proximity to Alsace means similar soils, climate and grape varieties on both sides of the border. Comparing German and Alsatian Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris from the same terroirs is fascinating.
Is the region easily accessible for wine tourists?
Yes – Schweigen-Rechtenbach lies at the southern starting point of the German Wine Route. The Weintor experience trail and seasonal wine taverns make it an ideal entry point for cycling tours along the entire Wine Route.
Which grape varieties define Südliche Weinstraße (Grenze zum Elsass)?
The key grape varieties in Südliche Weinstraße (Grenze zum Elsass) are Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and Dornfelder. The best-known vineyard is Schweigener Sonnenberg.
When is the best time to visit Südliche Weinstraße (Grenze zum Elsass) for wine?
The harvest in Südliche Weinstraße (Grenze zum Elsass) takes place October – when vineyards and cellars are busiest. May to July suits tastings without harvest bustle; many estates open their tasting rooms off-season by appointment.
What does the terroir of Südliche Weinstraße (Grenze zum Elsass) taste like?
Soils: Coloured sandstone, granite, deep loess soils. Climate: Very warm and dry; southernmost climate of the Palatinate; Alsatian influence. Together they shape structure, acidity and aromatics – see the terroir profile above.
How many wineries are there in Südliche Weinstraße (Grenze zum Elsass)?
Cellarmap lists 16 wineries in Südliche Weinstraße (Grenze zum Elsass) across roughly 1,100 hectares of vines. Every profile shows location, contact, grape varieties and, where available, vineyards, classification and visitor information.
📖 Look up in glossary
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