Wachenheim (Wachenheim an der Weinstrasse in full) is a village in the Mittelhaardt district in Pfalz, western Germany. As is the case with most villages in Pfalz, Wachenheim is known for its high-quality Rieslings, particularly those from the Gerümpel, Goldbachel and Mandelgarten vineyard sites.
It is located at the very heart of Pfalz's prime vineyard area. To the north are Bad Durkheim, Ungstein and Kallstadt, to the south Forst, Deidesheim and Ruppertsberg. Between them, Wachenheim and these six neighbors produce the vast majority of Pfalz's most respected wines. This entire area can be viewed from the Wachtenburg, a ruined 17th-Century (originally 15th-Century) castle high on a hill above Wachenheim.
Wachenheim and its vineyards sit at the foot of the low-lying Haardt Mountains, arguably the single most important feature in Pfalz's climate and regional wine style. The Haardt's lower slopes provide vineyard sites with sunny easterly aspects and good drainage, which are also sheltered from cold westerly winds by the mountains themselves. These factors, combined with the rain shadow cast by the hills, make for a warmer, brighter, drier climate than is found in neighboring regions. This accounts for the extra degree of ripeness found in wines from Wachenheim and villages all over the Pfalz region and explains the increasing focus on red-wine varieties (particularly Pinot Noir) here.
The benefits of Pfalz's favorable climate are visible (and edible) in the local fields and orchards, which grow figs, citrus fruit and almonds. In late spring, roads all around the region are speckled pink with almond blossom, and several vineyard sites – including Wachenheim's own Mandelgarten ('Almond Garden') – are named Mandel-something in honor of this regional peculiarity.
Wine tourism plays a significant role in Wachenheim's culture and economy. The Deutsche Weinstrasse (German Wine Route) runs directly through the village and brings many thousands of tourists throughout the year. June is a particularly busy month in the local wine calendar, with its annual Burg- und Weinfest wine festival.
Two wineries dominate production of Wachenheim's quality wines: Dr. Bürklin-Wolf (still wines) and the Sektkellerei Schloss Wachenheim (sparkling wines). Another producer of note is J.L. Wolf (now 'Villa Wolf' since being taken over by Mosel wine magnate Ernst Loosen), whose base is a 19th-Century country house known as Villa Wolf, located at the village's southern edge. The villa remains one of Wachenheim's key attractions, for its architecture, history, gardens and of course wine.
