Merl: Wine, Hiking Trails and History

Merl lies at the entrance to the Merler Bachtal, which extends far up into the Hunsrück. Winegrowing, historic buildings and paths through vineyards and forests reveal different sides of the village: you can explore the history of winegrowing, discover architecture from different centuries or look out over the landscape from the heights. The well-preserved Zandthof was the ancestral seat and castle residence of the von Zandt family and is privately owned.

Vineyards, a stream valley and views from the heights

The Pissamann circular hiking trail in Zell-Merl leads through vineyards and forests up to the high ground above Zell-Merl, at an elevation of 410 m. From there, you can enjoy views across the Zellerland and over the heights of the Hunsrück and Eifel. The Merler Bachtal offers a different connection to the landscape: it extends far up into the Hunsrück, and Merl lies at its entrance.

The two options differ in focus when planning your day. The circular hiking trail leads into the upland landscape and offers views; the Pissamann wine education trail provides information about vineyard work and grape varieties. You can choose whether you would rather explore the landscape or learn more about winegrowing.

Traces of local history

The parish church of St. Michael in Zell-Merl once belonged to a Minorite monastery, which is thought to have been built in the late 13th century. The Antwerp carved altar, created around 1520, is well worth seeing. Four wood samples date the roof structure of the Merler dormitory in the former Minorite monastery to 1293/94—a precise historical reference point for the village’s building history.

Historic houses and medieval residential towers belonging to old noble families have also been preserved on Zandtstraße. The residential tower at Zandtstraße 70 dates to 1328 and is thought to have belonged to the noble squire Friedrich Mohr vom Wald. The cemetery grounds are overlooked by a Romanesque choir tower, which is all that remains of the village’s old parish church.

The church tower in Zell-Merl can only be viewed from the outside. Check this visitor restriction again before your visit and plan to see the tower from outside.

Winegrowing and local traditions

A total of 15 information boards on the Pissamann wine education trail in the Merl district provide information about vineyard work and grape varieties. The trail offers a thematic introduction to winegrowing, while the circular hiking trail focuses more on forests, vineyards and the upland landscape.

At the Ernst Steffens winery in Zell-Merl, wine tastings are offered featuring Rieslings from traditional steep-slope vineyards as well as various vintages of Riesling, Müller-Thurgau, Kerner, Bacchus, Pinot Gris and Dornfelder. Tastings take place on Tuesdays or by arrangement and are also available in English. The experience includes a behind-the-scenes look or a tour of the vaulted cellar, as well as a film about the work carried out over the course of the winegrowing year.

The so-called “Merl Riesling” is associated with the cultivation of Riesling grapes in Merl in the 17th century and their spread from there along the Moselle and Rhine. The Merl wine festival also has a firm place in the district’s annual calendar and has long been considered its highlight. If you would like to plan your visit around the festival, check the event dates.

Planning your stay

A trip from Bullay to the parish church of St. Michael in Zell-Merl is described using bus route 750. Check the timetable before travelling. When choosing where to stay, it helps to decide on your preferred focus first: historic buildings and wine experiences make for a different day’s itinerary than trails in the uplands and scenic views. This way, you can match Merl to your interests in culture, wine or landscape and tailor your accommodation search accordingly.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Altlay, Blankenrath, Bullay, Sosberg, Haserich, Alf, Briedel, Neef.

Back to the main travel overview: Zell.