18 Jun 2014
Stuttgart has a unique combination of world-class cars and wine where visitors can enjoy both without drinking and driving in this capital of SouthWest Germany, the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg. State-of-the-art automobile museums, including Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and the workshop of Daimler and Maybach and the Benz House offer a unique automobile experience combining history and innovation. At the same time, the wine festivals in late summer and early fall are a fabulous way to enjoy and be a part of the local culture without breaking the bank.
Stuttgart is at the center of one of Germany's 13 wine growing regions: Wuerttemberg; and it is close to another of Germany's wine regions: Baden. The city is surrounded by beautiful low-lying hills that are covered with vineyards and harvest time is especially active and festive. A popular aspect of SouthWest Germany's wine culture is the "broom tavern," or Besenwirtschaft, whereby locals are allowed to open their homes and sell wine and food for 12 weeks of the year. The owners hang a broom outside of their house which signifies to visitors that they are open for business.
Starting August 27 and running through September 7, the Stuttgart Wine Village comes alive with wine vendors and visitors. Over 500 different types of wine are offered from the two regions in 120 wine arbors set up around the old palace. The local favorites are the red Trollinger and the white Riesling. People stroll from one to another with their glass of wine in hand or stop for onion pie or other local favorites, including Maultaschen (stuffed pasta squares) and Spaetzle (locally made noodles).
The Fellbach Autumn Festival from October 10 to 13 and other festivals and wine tastings follow, including the Night of the Cellars in nearby Weindorf or Degustation - Stuttgart's Best Wines on November 22. The Stuttgart Museum of Viniculture also offers regular wine tastings and tours. And, the Stuttgart Wine Trail is a wonderful, well-sign-posted way to explore the region for 3 ½ hours any time of the year. Guides are available from September to October.
All of this wonderful wine experience is enhanced by Stuttgart's unique world-class car museums. Built in 2006, the Mercedes Benz museum mesmerizes visitors with its exhibition through time and its collection of luxury cars that belonged to famous people, including Princess Diana, the Pope and Emperor Hirohito. Record winning cars, such as the Blitzen-Benz and Formula One winners, are on display, and non-car aficionados are taken in by the building's architecture and design. A fabulous summer event is the "Starry Night" when the top floor of the museum is transformed into a restaurant and diners can enjoy the museum and views of the beautiful countryside.
The Porsche Museum opened in 2009 with an angular and futuristic design. Its exhibit of cars includes 80 singular vehicles, such as the Type 64, the very first Porsche. The historical racing and sports cars on display are actually kept in perfect running condition and are used at exhibitions and old-timer races. Visitors can watch the skilled mechanics at work on the cars in the museum's own workshop. The museum's workshop and historical archive is a wonderful resource for journalists, engineers and serious car lovers. It has a comprehensive image library with over 3,000 photos and 1,700 hours of film material.
The museums are a highlight but by no means the only automobile attraction. There is Gottlieb Daimler's home where he grew up and is now a museum, and there is his villa and workshop in Taubenheimstrasse, where he, with Wilhelm Maybach, invented the engine. Close by is the Meilenwerk, an extensive trading and viewing center for vintage and classic cars, and visitors can stay in the V8 hotel for a complete experience. Those interested in a day trip from Stuttgart can experience the beautiful surrounding countryside along the Bertha Benz Route, Formula One racing at the Hockenheimring, superb car collections in Sinsheim, the Langendorf Castle and the Boxenstop in Tuebingen. Every year in March and June there is the Retro Classic trade fair and the Retro Classic Meets Baroque in Stuttgart where vintage and modern classic car enthusiasts gather to enjoy their vehicles.
For further information, please contact:
Victoria Larson Katharina Mariko Kress
Press Representative, US and Canada Marketing & Sales Manager Overseas
State Tourist Board SouthWest Germany State Touist Board SouthWest Germany
917-678-7689 mobile k.kress@tourismus-bw.de
212-362-3421 telephone
victoria@vklarsoncommunications.com
