Leiwen

Leiwen is one of the largest wine-growing villages on the Moselle. Village life revolves around wine: many family estates, estate taverns and wine festivals mark the year.

Leiwen is also the front-row seat opposite Trittenheim – few places offer a finer view of the great Moselle loop.

• The Zummethöhe above Leiwen is one of the best-known viewpoints on the whole Moselle.
• With so many wineries close together, you can combine several tastings on foot in a single day.

The best-known site is the Leiwener Laurentiuslay, a steep slate slope planted with Riesling. Many estates have been family-run for generations and open their tasting rooms to visitors – call ahead.

In Leiwen you eat at estate taverns and seasonal wine taverns: winemaker's platters, tarte flambée and, in autumn, onion tart with Federweißer. On festival weekends winemakers set up stalls in the village.

The short walk up to the Zummethöhe is best in the late afternoon. From there, paths lead through the vineyards, and the Moselle cycle path runs along the river below – Trittenheim is just a stone's throw away.

Leiwen is about half an hour by car from Trier, or reachable by bus. If you're coming for a wine festival, book your accommodation early.