Gräfenhausen: Winegrowing, Trails and Village Festivals

Gräfenhausen combines a long tradition of winegrowing with hiking trails, a viewpoint and Palatinate festivals. The following sections introduce these features so you can see which ones suit the purpose of your trip.

Winegrowing and Landscape

The tradition of winegrowing in Gräfenhausen dates back more than 650 years. The Cistercians were already growing wine here in the 14th century. Today, winemakers continue to grow Gräfenhausen Pinot Noir on sun-drenched slopes over nutrient-rich Rotliegend soil. Sun exposure and soil are two distinct features of the winegrowing process. Mountains and chestnut forests surround Gräfenhausen and frame its wine-growing landscape. Thus, this village brings together a long history of winegrowing, the continued cultivation of a specific grape variety, and a distinctive landscape.

Trails and Viewpoints

The Mönchsweg, Burgunderweg and Pfälzer Weinsteig trails pass by the Gräfenhausen Burgenblick viewpoint. From there, you can see the trio of castles comprising Trifels, Anebos and Scharfenberg (Münz). There are also two tables with benches at the viewpoint.

The Burgunderweg starts in Gräfenhausen at the Mönchsbrunnen and leads through meadows and vineyards. It is also suitable for strollers. The Wildsauweg starts at the sports ground on Zur Holderquelle street. A path branches off it to the Krappenfelsen. From there, the panoramic view extends across the Queichtal and the Palatinate Forest to the Rhine plain. The two trails therefore differ in their specific points of reference: for the Burgunderweg, the starting point, scenery and suitability for strollers are important details; for the Wildsauweg, these include its start at the sports ground and the turnoff to the Krappenfelsen viewpoint.

Chapel and Festival Traditions

The Chapel of St. John the Baptist is located in the center of Gräfenhausen. Its furnishings include a redesigned Baroque altar, a statue of St. John the Baptist, a baptismal font and a crystal chandelier. Its historical significance is also connected to residents’ everyday lives: the chapel was built to spare the Catholic residents of Gräfenhausen the arduous journey to neighboring Eußerthal, particularly in winter.

The Burgunderweinfest has traditionally been held for more than 30 years on the third weekend in June at Hans-Stöcklein-Platz in Annweiler-Gräfenhausen. The Wildsaukerwe is a traditional village festival held in September in Gräfenhausen. It features a festival tent, music, a Kerweredd (festival speech), a procession and Palatinate food such as roast wild boar. The festivals take place at different times of year; if one of them is the reason for your trip, check the specific event date in advance.

Different interests may therefore influence your choice of destination: the long tradition of winegrowing, a hike with views of the surrounding landscape, or the village’s history and festival culture. The respective starting points, times of year and features mentioned can help you tailor your visit to Gräfenhausen to the focus of your trip.

For an overview of the wider area: Annweiler Am Trifels.