Oberkirch Wine Festival
Four-day wine festival on the first September weekend at the festival ground near the Renchtal stadium with Oberkirch wines, food stalls, stage program and a funfair.
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Oberkirch
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City
ℹ️Practical info — Oberkirch
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Hike up to the Schauenburg castle ruin just before sunset for the best views over the Rhine valley.
- Look for parking spaces near the Rench river if the city center is busy.
- Take the 'Brennersteig' hiking trail to discover the many small local fruit distilleries.
- Always carry some cash, as many small farm stands and traditional wine taverns do not accept cards.
🍽 Food
🍽
Baden Flammkuchen
Best enjoyed in a seasonal wine tavern (Straußwirtschaft) with a glass of local wine.
🍽
Fruit Schnapps (Obstbrand)
Oberkirch is famous for its distilleries; sample local cherry or plum schnapps.
🍽
Black Forest Cake
Try an authentic slice at one of the traditional pastry shops on the main street.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Oberkirch Wine Cooperative
Visit the local wine cooperative to buy regional Spätburgunder and Riesling.
🛍
Weekly Farmer's Market
Buy fresh Black Forest ham and seasonal fruits directly from the producers.
🧘
Rench River Walk
A peaceful path right along the river, excellent for a relaxing afternoon stroll.
🧘
City Park (Stadtgarten)
The park provides shaded benches and a calm atmosphere away from the shopping streets.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
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Oberkirch is situated at the gateway to the Renchtal valley in the Ortenau district of Baden-Württemberg. The town is a cornerstone of German wine culture, surrounded by lush vineyards that produce some of the finest Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder) in the country. Beyond its vineyards, Oberkirch is famous for its fruit orchards, particularly strawberries and cherries, and it holds a world-record density of private distilleries, with over 800 small-scale operations producing artisanal brandies. Perched above the town are the ruins of Schauenburg Castle, which offer wide-open views across the Rhine Plain all the way to Strasbourg Cathedral in France. The town's literary history is tied to the Baroque author Hans Jakob Christoffel von Grimmelshausen, who penned parts of his masterpiece 'Simplicissimus' nearby. While maintaining its traditional charm with a half-timbered town center, Oberkirch is also a modern industrial hub, notably home to the Koehler Paper Group, a global leader in specialty paper manufacturing.
- Location: Baden-Württemberg, Germany
- Top sights: Grimmelshausen Museum · City Garden · St. Cyriak Church
- Nearby: Renchen (8 km)
- Population: ~20.237
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 0 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 14 | 10 | 5 | 1 |
| Rain mm | 84 | 63 | 70 | 58 | 99 | 83 | 92 | 89 | 65 | 81 | 74 | 91 |
Geography
Facts
- Total area: 69.14 km².
- Elevation: 192 m above sea level.
- Number of distilleries: Over 800.
- Schauenburg Castle origin: 11th century.
- Key employer: Koehler Paper Group.
- Postal code: 77704.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
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© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Oberkirch (8)
Grimmelshausen Museum🏛 museum
Located in the old town hall, this museum is dedicated to local history and the famous baroque writer Grimmelshausen.
🌐 oberkirch.de🕒 Tu-Th 15:00-19:00; Su 10:00-12:30, 14:00-17:00
Frequently asked questions
What is Oberkirch culinary famous for?
Oberkirch is famous for its viticulture (especially Riesling) and as a town of fine spirits with nearly 900 home distilleries.
What is the Schauenburg?
It is an impressive 11th-century castle ruin above the town, offering a great view over the Rhine Valley.
Are there guided wine hikes?
Yes, there are numerous themed trails like the 'Oberkircher Brennersteig', where you can combine nature and tasting.
When does the wine festival take place?
The Renchtal Wine and Folk Festival traditionally takes place on the first weekend of September and is a yearly highlight.
How is Oberkirch situated in the Black Forest?
Oberkirch is located at the entrance to the Renchtal valley, surrounded by vineyards and the first mountains of the Northern Black Forest.
Oberkirch: where is it located?
Oberkirch is located in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
Oberkirch: what is there to see?
Highlights include Grimmelshausen Museum, City Garden, St. Cyriak Church.
Oberkirch: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Oberkirch: why is it worth visiting?
Oberkirch is situated at the gateway to the Renchtal valley in the Ortenau district of Baden-Württemberg.
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