The ZumStein vineyard in Bad Dürkheim is one of the oldest and one of the most modern in the Palatinate wine region. It has a long tradition of producing high-quality whites for clients in Germany and abroad (including some prestigious corporate ones), but owner Dirk Renzelmann makes it a point of offering more. A lot more.
ZumStein hosts a range of corporate events, wine tastings in the vineyard’s own cellars, the “wine olympiad” (a competition featuring quizzes and games), tractor-drawn wagon rides into the vineyard (always accompanied by ZumStein’s own mobile oven that bakes a mean Flammkuchen) and, and, and….Not to forget the restaurant and two large function rooms for weddings and large private parties.
Dirk is a passionate wine grower, but he is also a 21st century businessman who knows that it is no longer enough to make a high-quality product. In today’s business world, you cannot simply wait for your customers to come and buy your products off you.
“In some months, it is the marketing effort that takes up most of my time,” says Dirk – with a sigh. But he also gives you the feeling that he quite enjoys what he is doing – all of it.
And then there is the small hotel,…
… the Vinotel as ZumStein calls it. Its three rooms have been carved out of the vineyard’s historic building fabric: the restaurant is next door, so are the ZumStein offices and the cellars, …
… and Dirk lives, together with his family, in the “new building” (constructed in the 19th century) just across the shaded courtyard.
Just by staying there, you already feel you are part of the business: the first customers arrive while you are having your breakfast, local merchants who have come over for a chat join you briefly on the patio, tourists ask you where they can inquire about participating in one of Dirk’s events – and there is always Dirk himself, dashing from one part of the property to the other, always in a hurry.
And if you are really lucky, he may ask you to accompany him into the actual vineyard a mile or so away, the place where he actually grows all the wine that he bottles and sells: Dirk loves to do that.
“From February to late in the fall, there is always something to do in the vineyard,” he says, “planting, defoliating, pruning, harvesting – hard work, occasionally, but also strangely satisfying.”
If that is exactly what you have always suspected, now you have the opportunity of finding out for yourself. Fancy a stay of two days in a vineyard? It is easier to arrange, more convenient to reach and (probably) cheaper than you think. We stayed at Gut ZumStein for the first two days of our recent hiking trip to the Palatinate and enjoyed every minute of it.
Thanks for the heads up. Will fix it.
One of your photos for this post isn’t showing up.
Looks so quaint and pretty! I would not mind staying here for a week!
To answer your question — an enthusiastic YES! ZumStein and its Vinotel look so inviting.
We love visiting vineyards and this one looks like a winner. It’s so wonderful how the owner and his family seem so hospitable. His vineyard just looks so idyllic for strolling. Yet, another reason why I need to visit Germany soon.
I am not a huge wine drinker but vineyards are a peaceful, relaxing place. After reading about Durkheim, I am enjoying this place and learning more about the Palatinate region.
Steve, I can tell you, we had the most fun here in the vineyard. Our hosts were lovely people.
Andred, most tourists from outside Germany usually don’t go beyond the most advertised towns of the Rhineland (of the Rhineland-Palatinate) but it is a very charming side of the region, most certainly, one that needs to be rediscovered.
Thanks, Marcia. We did, indeed have a memorable experience in the Vinotel, particularly our visit to their vineyard.
It was a very pleasant experience,Jackie.
I’m not into white wine, Leigh, but the quality of the Riesling we’ve had in the region was always excellent. Count in their Pinot gris (grauer Burgunder), which I prefer, and it was more than a lovely stay in the vineyard.
You have to stay in a Vinotel at least once in your life, Jeff. We had fun here.
Oh how I would love to stay in that hotel and be a part of the winery life for a spell. How positively enchanting! And once again, your pics capture your experience beautifully.
I’d love a stay in a vineyard – and I bet there’s a lot of good Riesling to sample. It looks like a little slice of heaven.
What a beautiful setting for sipping wine – two of our favorite things!
It sounds like a wonderful experience, Michael. I’m ready to sign up.
Dirk’s doing exactly the things they love and enjoying every minute of it. Lovely story. Thanks for letting us know about this part of Germany.
Deej, there’s a golf course in the region, but I’m afraid you’ll have to drive to it for an hour at least.
I’m thinking 4 days wouldn’t be enough:)
This part of Germany definitely deserves more attention. I’ve only visited the region briefly but I’d love to go back for sure.
It’s like a little village, all centered around the winery. Very cool, and getting the chance to socialize with the owner is an added bonus.