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Travel Guide to Sachsen Wine Region

Germany’s Smallest Wine Region

We prepared travel guide to Sachsen Wine Region, where you discover:

Wines for every taste

Art, culture & exceptional natural landscapes

Unique style cuisine

Sachsen
Moritzburg Castle near Dresden in the Sachsen region

Sachsen Wine Region

Climate and Soils

Sachsen wine region enjoys the best climate, with cold-moderate winters and adequate rainfall and warm continental temperature in summers. This type of climate gives birth to the finest red and white grapes. The vineyards are influenced by a variety of soils of the Elbe valley. The region is enriched with carboniferous, granite, and feldspar soil, along with some quantity of quartz and mica mixed within. The upper layer of the land is fused with loess, clay, and sand deposits, perfect for crop ripening.

Sachsen Wine Region Map

Sachsen Wine Map

Where are Vineyards of Sachsen Located?

There are three main Bereiche (areas) where the viticulturists grow a wide range of grapes. Dresden, Elstertal, and Meissen are three main regions that are approved for vine grape cultivation in the Sachsen wine region. Meissen is the only winemaking territory that comprises VDP-classified Erste Lage vineyard-zone - Schloss Proschwitz in Zadel.

Most of the vineyards are located in Dresden and Diesbar-Seusslitz, where a majority of part-time wine growers cultivate grapes and deliver the crop to wine-cooperative cellars in Meissan. There are only a few historic, private wineries that produce and sell wines all over the world. In combination to Dresden, there are areas on the outskirts of Dresden, where a lot of vineyards are restored by local farmers in in Pillnitz and Pirna.

Grape Varieties in Sachsen wine region

In Sachsen, there are around four collective vineyards sites and about 17 individual sites on which numerous vine varieties are grown. The winemakers focus more on the production of whites, accounted for 82%, whereas reds contributed about 18%. Some of the popular grape varieties include Müller-Thurgau, Riesling, and Weißburgunder, along with Kerner, Gewürztraminer, and Scheurebe.

Wines for Every Taste from Sachsen wine region

There is a number of talented vintners in Sachsen wine region that have been preserving the winemaking tradition of Germany. In total, there are about 37 grape varieties popularly grown in Saxony, out of which 80 percent are whites. The fruity and dry wines made from Müller-Thurgau, Riesling, and Weissburgunder are renowned all over the world.

Along with whites, don’t miss tasting the region’s top-class red wines, including full-bodied and medium-bodied Pinot Noir and Dornfelder. The types of wine just don’t end at red and white. While in Sachsen, visitors are recommended to taste Elbtal-Sekt, a delicious sparkling wine.

Upon your stay, there are uncountable wineries where you can spend some quality time and savour the mouth-watering wines. A reputed state-owned winery, Schloss Wackerbarth in Radebeul, should be on your bucket list, where sparkling wines are being produced for centuries.


Explore Art, Culture & Natural Landscapes

Meißen – Royal Castles & Sightseeing

A place situated on the river Elbe offers you with the picturesque town. This place is known for its rich culture and lots of beautiful monuments. The castle is built on the top of the mountain. Meißen is only 30 minutes' drive from Dresden and offers you with public transportation too. Every individual has been an explorer on his own, and when you visit here, you will never get bored exploring this beautiful place. Who never wants to have a romantic walk around the town, this is the place to walk around with those narrow lanes, outstanding renovated houses. The best part is that locals have not let go of their culture and are still keeping everything in their shoulders. This city is over 10 centuries old and attracts most of the artists. This place is the cultural hub for, and maybe it is inviting you too. You will step in into the best place; a must recommended place to visit.

Leipzig – Historic Buildings, Tall Towers & Landscapes

A place is known by its culture and picturesque view, where Leipzig has a lot to offer for tourism. A site that provides musical vibes as it is associated with the Gewandhaus Orchestra, Based in the Gewandhaus concert hall on Augustsplatz. It is the most popular city in the German federal state of Saxon. It has over 600,000 of the population, known to be Germany's 8th populous city.

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Leipzig, Saxon, Germany

It constitutes the southernmost part of the North German Plain. The name of the town is due to Slavic origin. This place has also been the trade center since the time of the Holy Roman Empire. This city has a lot of cultural and monumental sites to give you an insight. You can merely feel bored while exploring this beautiful city. It has been a beautiful part of Germany and attracts a lot of tourists all over the year. A much-recommended place to visit.

Torgau – Theme-Oriented Tours & Ancient Cities

A town with beautiful views offers love, and that's why it attracts lots of tourists. Situated on the banks of the Elbe in northwestern Saxony, Germany, it is also the capital of the district Nordsachsen. This town was the first meeting point of Soviet and U.S forces. This place includes a historic town center, restored since German reunification, a brewer museum. A well-organized beautiful house, with landscape views it has a lot to please your mind and trip. This place has a rich history and gives you an insight into the lovely nature and picturesque view. Every walk is to remember while you tend to explore the beautiful town on your feet. It has a beautiful river flowing, and it gives you the best sunsets. You can try delicious street foods and can gulp the local vine. This place is much recommended to be added to your priority list.

Dive Into the Nature of Sachsen

The classification of natural tourist spots began in 1994 by environmentalists on the basis of flora and fauna breathing in each region. From the ancient groves of Hainich Natural Reserve to bizarre rock beaches, Saxony features one of the stunning natural parks and protected territories of Germany. Discover the hidden gems of the region and make your getaway unforgettable.

Elbe Sandstone Mountains – Adventurous Hikes And Walks

Also known as Elbe Sandstone Highlands, which separates the state of Saxony in Germany and the North Bohemian territory of Czech Republic with three-fourth part lying on the German side. These are also known as Switzerland of there respective countries. River Elbe flows through the steep and narrow valleys of the region. 

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Tracking path in Elbe Sandstone Mountains

This place is the destination for tourists from the last 200 years and climber from the previous 100 years. There are more than 14000 climbing routes. Tourists can enjoy the experience of the natural scenes on the Asphalt Elbe Cycle path. This place also has many facilities related to cure and rehabilitation. The landscape with eroded sandstone of this region formed with the depositions that accumulated millions of years ago at the deep sea bed. A massive portion of this area is under conservation. There is a region of Saxon Switzerland, which consists of two parts, Saxon Switzerland National Park, founded in 1990, and the Protected Area established in 1956.

The Zittau Mountains – Unspoiled & Romantic Landscapes

Formally known as The Lusatian Ridge refer to the German part of the Zittau mountains, which separates Saxon and Bohemian areas. The streams here drains the hills that flow roughly north into the Mandau, a western tributary of the Lusatian Neisse. There is a natural park comprising the German Parts of the Lusatian Mountains at the border with the Czech Republic, and Poland spreads over an area of 113 square kilometers of forests, lakes meadows, and peatlands. South of Jonsdorf is a place named Millstone Quarries is a rock formation that has been formed by the quarrying of sandstone and also by weathering processes. It is also famous for its popular hiking and climbing areas. There is also a narrow-gauge railway system steam locomotives that serve the mountain health and spa resorts.

Furst-Puckler-Park Bad Muskau – Baroque Gardens

The life we live in nature's lap has been the life one can only dream of living in the city hustle. Park Bad Muskau offers an extreme beauty of landscapes and sunsets. Situated in the Upper Lusatia region in Germany and Poland. It is the largest and one of the famous English gardens in Central Europe. The park has 3.5 sq. Kilometers of land covered in Poland and 2.1 Kilometres of land covered in Germany.

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Furst-Puckler-Park Bad Muskau

The park started to build from 1815 onwards at the behest of Prince Hermann Von Puckler Muskau. It is very close to the place Bad Muskau. This place gives you the relief as you can watch birds chirping and various breeds of birds. This park was added to the World Heritage list by UNESCO in 2004. It is one of the historical monuments of Poland. This place is a much-recommended place to visit.


Unique Style of Cuisine in Sachsen Wine Region

Top-3 Dishes you Should Try While in Sachsen

While in Sachsen, it is possible that you will be taken aback by the well-distinguished dishes and cuisines of the region, made from seafood and regional products. There are several traditional recipes that are available in almost all the restaurants of Saxony but made with unique styles, depending upon the taste of chefs and people visiting and living there.

Sachsischer Sauerbraten- A Saxon Styled Recipe

There is always one dish which does not only help to bring a smile on our face but also gives satisfaction to us. We are talking about one of the best recipes, Sachsischer Sauerbraten, which Germany caters at its best. Not much to talk about how it has made with all the love. Peeled onions and carrots and bring to the boil with bay leaves, juniper, cloves, pepper and allspice seeds, a bit of salt, vinegar, and water. That's all what you need to prepare this dish. Meat has marinated in this for a maximum of two days. Red wine and a bit of water does the magic and helps in making this dish delicious. The broth is taken out and is fried until it turns brown. After that, roasted in a sim gas for over 3 hours. After that served on your plate with the aromatic flavor and a sprinkled salt, pepper. Served with sauce, and you are good to go. A must-try dish highly recommended.

Kartoffelklöße - Potato Dumplings

Potatoes are likely to be the typical readily available vegetable all around Germany. Kartoffelklobe is of the potatoes dish, which is well known as the Potatoes Dumpling. Taking care of the calories, fat, cholesterol, protein, and sodium; is made in such a way that you will never regret trying this one out. The potatoes are dipped in the salted water and boiled. Until they get boiled, the butter does the magic in the pan, where bread cubes are added to it and cooked till they turn golden.

Potato dumplings stuffed with smoked
Potato dumplings

After the potatoes boiled, they get peeled and brought in the large bowl. They are then mashed and seasoned with salt, pepper, cayenne, and nutmeg. After holding a lot of procedures, they are turned into the dumpling until it gets cooked in salted water with the simmer gas. At last, they get garnished in a way that they look delicious to have, where chives are preferred to act in garnishing this dish. Next time you visit, try to explore this dish; maybe you will have this one favorite of all the recipes you have ever tried.

Dresdner Stollen – Fruit-Filled Bread

The most well-known kind of Stollen is Dresdner Stollen. The Stollen, which baked in the city of Dresden, are allowed to carry this name.

In 10 grams of flour, 3 grams of butter or milk fat, 7 gms of dried oranges and lemon peels, and 1 gm of almonds required to bake it. The result of all these inclusions will be known as Dresdner Stollen. After baking, it is kept cool by placing in a cold and dark place, which gives the dry fruits within the cake the chance to absorb moisture, which provides the Stollen with a moist texture.

German Christmas cake
Dresdner Stollen, famous Christmas cake

Is Sachsen famous for wine?

Yes, Sachsen is famous for wine. It is Germany's easternmost and one of the smallest wine-growing regions, with only 493 hectares, starting at Dresden, at 51 degrees north latitude. World-famous wines made from Müller-Thurgau, Riesling, and Weissburgunder grapes come in both fruity and dry variations. Red wines are also notable in the region; you must try the full-bodied and medium-bodied Pinot Noir and Dornfelder.

How many wineries are in Sachsen wine region?

In Sachsen, there are four collective and seventeen individual vineyards growing a plethora of vine varieties. This makes it an excellent region for the cultivation and production of fine wines.

What is the best time to visit Sachsen?

In July, Sachsen is delightfully warm and sunny, but rarely stiflingly hot, making it a favorite season for tourists from all over Europe and the world.

Map of Wineries in Sachsen

Discover the locations of wineries in Sachsen

Subregions in Sachsen

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