Franconian Wine Country

The scenic Franconian wine country, in the heart of Germany, extends along both sides of the meandering Main River, from a few kilometers north of Aschaffenburg almost to the western edge of Bamberg. It encompasses a landscape of rolling hills, medieval walled villages with stone watchtowers, and nearly 15,000 acres of vineyards that produce some of the finest white wines in Germany.

For more than twelve centuries the Franconians have been growing grapes on the steep slopes of the hills facing the Main River, where warmth reflected from the water, heat from the summer sun, and the particular geology of the region combine to make ideal microclimates for viniculture. Seventy different varieties of grapes are planted here, with Müller-Thurgau (Rivaner), Silvaner, Riesling, and Bacchus the most popular types. Known for its high quality and crisp flavor, most of the wine is bottled in green flask-like bottles called Bocksbeutel (possibly because their shape resembles certain private parts of a goat), which have been a symbol of Franconian wines for 250 years.