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Saxon Wine Route
The fascinating world of wine around Dresden and Meissen

The view from a vineyard of the Elbe river near Meissen

The wine-making region between Pirna and Diesbar-Seusslitz near Meissen is a remarkable part of Saxony. Everything here revolves around wine, whether you are just calling in at one of its traditional taverns for a drink, celebrating at the autumn wine festivals or touring its 20 or so wineries. The vineyards along the Elbe make up the smallest wine region in Germany, and the most northerly in Europe. This is the area covered by the 55 kilometres of the "Saxon Wine Route". Records of wine making in Saxony go back to 1161. Viticulture experienced a huge upturn as the influence of the monasteries increased and reached its climax in the 16th century.

A bunch of grapes ripens in the sun amidst autumnal foliage

Over the centuries, the area has developed into an engaging combination of river scenery, impressive architecture and a carefree way of life. This part of Saxony enjoys a particularly favourable climate. Grapes have been grown here for 800 years, and the local porcelain manufacturing tradition dates back almost 300 years. It was wine and porcelain, together with rich silver deposits, that brought fame and fortune to Saxony, and the splendour of the old days is still very palpable, even today. As you follow the Saxon Wine Route, you see vines for the first time near Pirna, then in Pillnitz, close to the stately home there, and then beneath the palaces that line the river Elbe in Dresden.

 
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Basic information

  • Length
    55km
  • Themes
    Wine, art, architecture

Highlights in brief

  • Pirna
    Historical old town, museum
  • Dresden
    Zwinger Palace, Semper Opera House, palace, Church of Our Lady, Brühl Terrace
  • Radebeul
    Wackerbarth stately home, observatory, Karl May Museum
  • Coswig
    Town museum in Karrasburg stately home, Villa Teresa, Sörnewitz craft centre
  • Weinböhla
    Museum, watchtower at Ratsweinberg vineyard, traditional wine-growing
  • Meissen
    Porcelain works
  • Diesbar-Seusslitz
    Elbe wine villages and surrounding vineyards, baroque palace