RIESLING RENAISSANCE Two Night Wine Getaway in Heidelberg

Visiting Germany’s premier wine growing region, Pfalz, should be on any true wine lover’s bucket list, particularly those fond of Riesling and Pinot Noir. Discover the best of Pfalz on a full-day tour from Heidelberg to Deidesheim along the German Wine Route. You’ll be accompanied by an expert in German wine, who will guide you through the history and heritage of the regional grape growing. On your first evening, dine at Michelin-starred restaurant Le Gourmet at Hotel Die Hirschgasse Heidelberg. The elegant 15th-century hotel restaurant, which counts Mark Twain among its loyal guests, serves up modern French cuisine using traditional regional flavours with a decadent 4-course menu. After breakfast, you'll head to the wine cooperative of Freinsheim. Experience a vineyard tour, learn about wine production and discover the journey of the grape from vine to bottle, You will end with a tasting of excellent Riesling wines. Following the German Wine Route, take in over 300 years of history at the Dr. von Bassermann-Jordan wine estate; a family name with a rich heritage. For three centuries the family has excelled in winemaking and have played an active role in the shaping of the region’s political and arts scene. Many Bassermann-Jordans have been mayors, parliament members and Premier Cru grape-growers. Tour the historic sandstone vault cellars in Deidesheim, where wines are cultivated using the traditional wooden cask method. Finish your tour with a visit to the dynamic wine estate Wageck-Pfaffmann, established under new name and direction in 1973, for a taste of their superb Burgunder, Portugieser and Riesling wines. End your time in Pfalz with a traditional German send-off at Heidelberg’s most historic restaurant, Zur Herrenmühle. Dating back to 1690, the former flour mill in the heart of the Altstadt is a romantic eatery known for refined country-style German cuisine, featuring dishes such as saffron-crusted dorade royale with baby spinach and creamed potato.