Bischoffingen: Vineyards, Panoramic Views and Wine Culture

Bischoffingen is surrounded by vineyards. Highlights of a stay include sweeping views across the Kaiserstuhl, the local wine culture and historic traces in the town. You can choose your focus based on whether you want to visit viewpoints, discover local wine experiences or explore Bischoffingen’s history.

Panoramic Views Among the Vineyards

The Mondhalde, the highest point in the east, offers panoramic views across the central Kaiserstuhl. The view extends as far as Breisach, across Alsace to the Vosges mountain range and to the Black Forest. The Vogesenblick Tour offers another way to experience the landscape: this short panoramic loop leads uphill through the vineyards to the Vogesenblick viewpoint and back to the starting point through the vines. From there, views extend to Breisach, Alsace and across the Rhine Plain. Breisach and Alsace are visible from both viewpoints. From the Mondhalde, the panorama also reaches the Black Forest and the Vosges mountain range; from Vogesenblick, it also extends across the Rhine Plain. Check trail conditions before setting out, as they may change.

Wine Tradition and Local Experiences

Wine culture is reflected in more than just the landscape. Bischoffingen’s winegrowers have marketed their wines collectively since 1924. Vineyard tours and wine tastings are regularly offered in Bischoffingen. The main grape varieties include Spätburgunder, also known as Pinot Noir, Grauburgunder and Weißburgunder; Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah also ripen in the Kaiserstuhl. Since 2014, a multi-course dining tour through Bischoffingen’s wine businesses has been offered on the third weekend of April: on Fridays and Saturdays, followed by an open Sunday. If you plan to attend this time-specific event, check the exact dates in advance. Seasonally, the Bischoffingen winegrowers serve their wines with small treats and Kaiserstuhl winegrowers’ tapas on the sun terrace directly in front of their wine shop.

Church and Archaeological Traces

The Protestant Church of St. Laurentius in Bischoffingen is known for its Late Gothic frescoes. Archaeological finds in Bischoffingen date from the Neolithic period through Roman and Alemannic times. Alongside the vineyards, art and finds from different eras are also distinctive features of the town.

More Places in the Wider Destination of Vogtsburg im Kaiserstuhl

The wider destination of Vogtsburg im Kaiserstuhl also has distinctive hiking and cultural destinations in other towns. Near Achkarren, the 3.6-kilometre Achkarrer Schlossbergpfad trail runs through the “Schlossberg” vineyard site. Together, the trail and the Kaiserstuhl Winegrowing Museum in the centre of Achkarren provide information about soil, climate, grape varieties and the history of viticulture in the Kaiserstuhl. Here, a walk through a vineyard site and learning at the museum go hand in hand.

The historic, protected Mittelstädtle quarter of Burkheim features burghers’ and half-timbered houses, the town hall and the town gate. On his tour through the lanes, Burkheim’s night watchman sings a night-watchman’s song in the Alemannic language. In Niederrotweil, the Marienaltar by Meister HL is housed in the Catholic fortified church of St. Michael. Created between 1516 and 1520, the work is considered a masterpiece of German woodcarving. The Baden Way of St. James also passes the church; pilgrims can obtain a pilgrim’s stamp there.

Discover more destinations: Oberbergen, Achkarren.

Back to the overview of the wider destination: Vogtsburg im Kaiserstuhl.