Neuffen: Wine-Growing History, Castle and Church Art

Neuffen combines a wine-growing history dating back to the Middle Ages with landmarks that range from the presumed early origins of St. Martin’s Church to Hohenneuffen Castle. Outdoors, the “hochgehkeltert” premium hiking trail leads from Neuffen through vineyards and the Neuffener Heide heathland up to the castle. This gives you different options for your trip: historical sites and buildings on the one hand, and an excursion through the countryside on the other.

Wine-Growing History at Kelterplatz

Wine-growing is closely tied to Neuffen’s history and was first mentioned there in 1239. In the Middle Ages, there were four documented wine presses. The barn at Kelterplatz is flanked by two listed buildings and was built in 2006 as a market barn for a producers’ market or weekly market. The town and wine tour invites you to feast your eyes and enjoy a treat for your palate. First impressions and stories at Kelterplatz bring the close connection between the town’s history and its wine-growing heritage into focus.

The grape varieties also give wine-growing a distinctive profile. White and red varieties each account for 50 percent of the vineyard area; the mix can change over time. White varieties include Silvaner, Müller-Thurgau, Kerner, Riesling, Pinot Blanc and Ruländer. Red varieties include Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Dornfelder, Portugieser, Lemberger, Trollinger and Acolon. Anyone interested in wine tradition can consider today’s diversity of varieties alongside the historic wine presses and the first mention of wine-growing.

Church, Art and Town History

St. Martin’s Church is thought to date back as far as the 6th century. The church in its present dimensions was built in the first half of the 14th century. A notable work of art inside is the Mount of Olives: Albert Schaich donated this stone-carving artwork in 1504. It depicts Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane and Judas’s betrayal, and survived the fire. The church thus brings together an early, presumed origin and a dated work of art from a later period.

The Great House is home to the town museum and public library. It is also a rare surviving example of an aristocratic town residence on the town wall. If you would like to visit the museum or library, check current visitor information in advance. This lets you combine an interest in these institutions with a closer look at the building’s distinctive history.

Hiking and Views at Hohenneuffen Castle

The “hochgehkeltert” premium hiking trail starts right in Neuffen and leads through vineyards and the Neuffener Heide heathland up to Hohenneuffen Castle, which has a panoramic restaurant. Hohenneuffen is one of the area’s best-known destinations for an outing. From there, the view extends along the Alb escarpment across the Neckar region and the Stuttgart heights to the Black Forest and the Swabian Hills.

Sections of the more than three-metre-thick shield wall and the inner curtain wall have been preserved at the castle. These historic walls add another dimension to the hiking trail’s destination: alongside the panorama, you can also take in the surviving defensive architecture. For more hiking options, the Neuffen hiking map features five routes compiled with the support of the Neuffen branch of the Swabian Alb Association.

When planning your visit, you can choose between a cultural and historical focus and an excursion up to the castle. St. Martin’s Church, the Mount of Olives and the Great House offer different insights into the town’s history; the hiking trail links vineyards and heathland with views and the castle. Which of these options you focus on can shape the character of your day in Neuffen.

Discover more destinations: Leinfelden-Echterdingen, Oberboihingen, Aichtal, Neuhausen Auf Den Fildern, Köngen, Reichenbach An Der Fils, Weilheim An Der Teck, Wolfschlugen.

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