The Southern Wine Route

Vacation for Connoisseurs

Because this is the place to stay: Stop off in rustic wine taverns or dine in excellent houses. Stay in cosy guesthouses or in a romantic castle. Look forward to hospitality that could not be more heartfelt. You will discover a landscape that combines everything your heart desires in its diversity: gently rolling vineyards, green meadows and streams, the stately Palatinate Forest with its castles and small picturesque villages. Go on a journey of discovery, on foot or by bike, and enjoy all the benefits of a designated health region. Experience our cheerful wine festivals and a cultural and leisure programme that is widely appreciated.

(Click on the map to enlarge)

Geography & Demography Southern Wine Route

Federal state: Rhineland-Palatinate
Administrative center: Landau in der Pfalz
Area: 639.83 km²
Population: 110,526 (2015)
Highest point: 672.6 meters (Kalmit)
Hours of sunshine: 2,000 per year

History of the Southern Wine Route

The area of today's district belonged to Bavaria from 1816, divided into the districts of Bergzabern and Landau, which later became administrative districts. After the Second World War, the two districts of Bergzabern and Landau became part of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate and initially belonged to the administrative district of Palatinate. The district was created as part of the district reform in 1969 by merging the two old districts to form the "Landau-Bad Bergzabern district". In 1972, six municipalities were incorporated into the independent town of Landau in der Pfalz. In 1974, Hayna was added from the district of Germersheim, and in 1978 it was renamed "Landkreis Südliche Weinstraße".

Where does the Southern Wine Route run?

Lage

The district of Südliche Weinstraße and the town of Landau are located in the south of Rhineland-Palatinate in the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region and the Karlsruhe technology region. The region derives its name from Germany's first tourist route, the German Wine Route. Its southern section begins at the German Wine Gate in Schweigen-Rechtenbach, on the border with Alsace, and runs to Maikammer in the north. The region includes the Palatinate Rhine Plain in the east and the Palatinate Forest in the west. The largest watercourses are the Queich and the Lauter, which runs close to the border with France and is known as the Wieslauter in its upper reaches.

Tourist Offices

Your contacts along the Southern Wine Route

There is plenty to discover, hike, experience and enjoy along the Southern Wine Route: from wine and Palatinate cuisine, to the landscape characterized by vineyards and the Palatinate Forest, wine festivals and culture, to hiking and cycling tours - there is something for everyone here on the Southern Wine Route. And to help you with your planning, our tourist offices will be happy to assist you at any time before and during your stay with us! Whether you have specific questions, personal tips about the region or further information material: please feel free to visit our tourist offices or contact us by phone or e-mail. We look forward to helping you!