When the vineyards of the Kaiserstuhl and Tuniberg turn into a sea of yellow, orange and red, the "KaiserHerbst" begins. The series of events brings together winegrowers, chefs, artists and nature lovers - in a region whose mild climate is reminiscent of Indian summer right through to November.
More than 100 events are on the program this year: from wine tastings with up to 100 different wines and culinary kitchen parties with star chefs to theater evenings in castle ruins and concerts in historic farmhouses.
Enjoyment, colors and stories - the KaiserHerbst 2025
Luminous vine leaves, mild temperatures and the interplay of nature, culinary delights and culture - this is how the "KaiserHerbst" presents itself in the Kaiserstuhl Nature Garden. The region between the Black Forest and the Rhine already set an example with the festival in 2024, and the second edition will now follow in 2025.
"If you not only want to enjoy, but also get to know the people and the stories behind it, the `KaiserHerbst' is just right for you," says Ulrike Weiß, Managing Director of Naturgarten Kaiserstuhl GmbH.
Over 100 events ensure that visitors from near and far - and therefore also from Saxony - find a program that goes far beyond classic wine festivals.
Wine highlights: From KaiserWii to site tasting
Visitors can taste their way through the diversity of Kaiserstühl wine - characterized by volcanic rock and fertile loess soils. Highlights include the great "Kaiser Tour" from winegrower to winegrower on October 26 or the vineyard tasting in Ihringen on November 1. Culinary delights are also served up: at the Alemannic Bread Market in Endingen, bakers even come from Venezuela, while top chefs combine creative menus with Burgundy wines at the big kitchen party on 2 November.
The love of wine runs like a red thread through the program:
- KaiserWii - the opening (11 October, Endingen): More than 100 regional wines will be on hand, accompanied by music and culinary snacks.
- Sunday Wine (October 26, Endingen): 50 wines and sparkling wines from the surrounding area are presented in the historic Kornhalle.
- 50 years - 50 wines (October 24, Vogtsburg): anniversary with 25 wineries offering top wines for tasting.
- Herkunft Kaiserstuhl - die Lagenverkostung (November 1, Ihringen): Pure terroir: visitors taste how soils and climate shape the character of the wine.
- Kaiser Tour (October 26, Kaiserstuhl): Four wineries open their cellars and courtyards, shuttle bus included. Concluding with a four-course meal.
- Pino Magma wines (November 2, Freiburg): Young cooperative presents Burgundy wines with volcanic origins.
- Souvignier Gris discovery tour (October 16 & 23, Winzerhof Schätzle): Future vines for climate change - with tractor tour at Achkarrer Schlossberg.
Culinary delights: kitchen party, mushrooms and bread from Venezuela
Gourmets will also get their money's worth - and far beyond the wine:
- Alemannic Bread Market (October 11/12, Endingen): Bakers from Kaiserstuhl, the Black Forest, Alsace, Switzerland - and even Venezuela - showcase their specialties.
- Omage (October 24-26, Bötzingen): Four chefs return from around the world to reinterpret regionality, with a vegan-vegetarian five-course menu.
- Mushrooms & Wine (October 25, Breisach-Gündlingen): A creative menu based around the theme of mushrooms, accompanied by regional wines.
- Cuisine party (November 2, Endingen): Four star chefs - Thomas Merkle, Christian Baur, Martin Fauster and Christoph Kaiser - provide gourmet fireworks.
- KaiserHerbst dishes in restaurants (October/November, entire region): Local restaurateurs create exclusive menus with wine accompaniment.
- Pumpkin Loaf Weeks (November 4-15, Endingen): Bread sommelier Matthias Schwehr presents his hearty, pithy pumpkin loaf.
Pure culture: from Dinner for One to Dynamo Year 1953
In addition to wine and culinary delights, the "KaiserHerbst" also showcases the cultural diversity of the region. Whether jazz in the Storchenhof in Teningen, cabaret in the old railway station or "Dinner for One - uff Alemannisch" in the castle ruins in Burkheim - extraordinary venues open their doors everywhere. A special highlight: the Engel-Lichtspiele in Breisach. It has been the cultural center of the town since 1953 - the same year Dynamo Dresden was founded. On November 6, they will be showing the film "Kaiserzeit: Terroir - a delightful journey into the world of wine", accompanied by a wine tasting. A double reason for Dynamo fans to travel to Breisach.
Cultural events round off the program and open doors to extraordinary venues:
- Concerts at the Storchenhof (11 October - 16 November, Teningen): Classical, jazz, rock and pop in a historic setting.
- Dinner for One - uff Alemannisch (October 24-26, Burkheim): castle ruins as a stage for the Alemannic version of the cult play.
- Das graue Wunder (October 25, Riegel): Literary wine tasting in the old terminus station.
- Kleinkunst im Kumedi (October/November, Riegel): Cabaret in historic station building.
- Art'Rhena Theater (October/November, Breisach): Rhine Island stage with modern cultural program.
- Engel-Lichtspiele Breisach (November 6): A cultural fixture since 1953 - the same year Dynamo Dresden was founded. The film "Kaiserzeit: Terroir" will be shown, followed by a wine tasting with sommelier Corinna Sauerburger.
This Dynamo moment also makes the KaiserHerbst attractive for soccer fans from Saxony.
Nature experiences: Hiking, herbs, goats
Those who want to actively explore the region will also find a variety of offers: Wine tours through the famous Lösshohlgassen, herb hikes on the Tuniberg or a goat hike near Vogtsburg allow you to experience nature and the landscape. And of course: always accompanied by a good glass of wine - because enjoyment and nature are inseparable here.
The best way to experience the Indian summer in Baden is actively:
- Wine tour through the Lösshohlgasse (October 11, Bickensohl): Walk with wine tasting and stories.
- Wine & herb tour (12 October, Gottenheim): Six kilometers of herb and wine experience.
- Goat hike (8 November, Vogtsburg): Join a herd of goats on a walk through the countryside - an experience for the whole family.
- Vineyard tours with tractor or Unimog (October/November, various locations): Adventure rides through the vines with views of the Rhine Valley.
- Painting weekend "The Colors of the Kaiserstuhl" (October 30 - November 2, Vogtsburg-Achkarren): Painting seminar with artist Daniel Rohrbach.
Conclusion: an autumn full of reasons to travel
Whether wine tasting, gourmet cuisine, theater in castle ruins or Indian summer in the vines: The "KaiserHerbst" shows just how diverse the Kaiserstuhl-Tuniberg region is. For Saxon visitors, the journey is doubly worthwhile - because in addition to enjoyment and culture, Breisach offers a piece of history with the Engel-Lichtspiele that immediately appeals to Dynamo Dresden fans: 1953 as the common founding year.
All information and the complete program can be found www.naturgarten-kaiserstuhl.de/KaiserHerbst
