The northernmost traditional wine-growing region worldwide is situated on the 52nd latitude. In the high altitude of Berlin wine is cultivated at the bank of the Havel river. The region, where both rivers Saale and Unstrut come together, is governed by a warm zone. The vineyards are shaped in terraced steep slopes with old vineyard walls. This wine-growing area is small, but widely spread over the 3 federal states: Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia.

It is known that already in 786 wine was grown in Dorndorf on the Werra river (West Thuringia - bottom left in the map). The fact that wine is cultivated in this area we owe to the Emperor Otto III. Thanks to the donation of vineyards to the monastery Memleben in the year 998 the wine growing was strongly promoted. That brings over 1000 years of tradition with it. Winery Kloster Pforta, founded in 1137, brings also over 850 years of experience and ensures the best possible quality at the 51st parallel. 450 winegrowers are represented in the Winzervereinigung Freyburg-Unstrut, who know how to make a good wine. In Freyburg in 1856 the foundation was laid for the brand „Rotkäppchen Sekt“ which was launched in the market in 1894. The Sektkellerei "Rotkäppchen" exported its sparkling wine under the name "Little Red Cap" to China.

If you want to know better this region, you can hike the Weinstraße Saale-Unstrut. This Region is perfect for cyclists, hikers and paddlers. If you like hiking in the vineyards, you will enjoy the wine trails „Weinstraße Mansfelder Seen"(22 km) and „Weinroute Weiße Elster“ (17 km). A good alternative is the southern route of the „Straße der Romantik“. It leads through Naumburg (known by the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul with its world-famous donor figure Uta) and Freyburg or follow the trail by bicycle Saale Radweg which ranges the wine-growing region for about 70 km. A special feature is the red André which is cultivated here and in the Czech Velké Pavlovice.

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