Hochstadt's 36th Vine Blossom Festival: A festival of friendship and tradition!

Hochstadt's 36th Vine Blossom Festival: A festival of friendship and tradition!

On June 17, 2025, the 36th Vine Blossom Festival at the Hochstädter Winzerverein attracted numerous visitors. Opened under the shining sky Eva Brüning-Rehbein, the first chairwoman of the winegrowers' association, the festival, which was now presented again in full splendor after a break due to the pandemic. This year the festival was not only a highlight for wine lovers, but also a meeting place between families and younger visitors who are increasingly attracted to traditional wine festivals.

The meaning of the festival goes far beyond the vine blossom. This phase is crucial for the development of the grapes up to the harvest - a central moment in viticulture. What is particularly noteworthy is that the festival now also includes Maintal's twin towns. These include, for example, Luisant, Moosburg and the Maintal-Esztergom circle of friends from Hungary. During the opening speech Mayor Monika Böttcher (independent) took the opportunity to honor the town twinning between Maintal and Moosburg, which has existed since 1976. “Friendships in Europe are essential,” she emphasized.

The wine culture of Hochstadt

Hochstadt, known as one of the most beautiful districts of Maintal, also has an interesting wine history. Did you know that Hochstadt was mentioned as a wine-growing region as early as 819? Although Hochstädter wine is less known to the masses than the famous apple wine “Alten Hochstädter”, which is valued far beyond the borders of the Hesse “Äppelwoi region”, the number of wine lovers is constantly increasing. The First Hochstädter Winegrowers' Association, founded in 1987, is actively committed to reviving the wine-growing tradition and has now established itself as an important contact for Hochstädter wine culture. Here you can find out more about the activities of the winegrowers' association.

Historically, Hochstadt looks back on a glorious wine-growing tradition. However, the last Hochstädter vineyards were cleared in 1916 and no wine has been produced since 1917, but this does not mean that the desire to return to the roots has been lost. The orchards are now part of a landscape worthy of nature conservation and show the diversity of the region. A look at the street names such as Wingertstrasse and Weinbergstrasse is reminiscent of the old tradition.

Town partnerships and culinary delights

The festival visit was characterized by a lively exchange. Herbert Gaggl, the mayor of Moosburg, emphasized the importance of dialogue in Europe and thereby underlined the role of events such as the vine blossom festival. Frank Robanus, the deputy chairman of the advisory board for town twinning, invited the participants to enjoy the culinary offerings. These events not only promote community, but also the cultural diversity and culinary heritage of the region.

At a time when friendships and dialogue across borders are of central importance, the Vine Blossom Festival in Hochstadt shows how local traditions and international relationships can be brought together in a joyful and enjoyable way. The winegrowers' association and the twin towns make a decisive contribution to ensuring that the wine culture and the friendly connections between the towns continue to flourish.