Lonely Outpost
The Handthaler Stollburg Vineyards
Maria Magdalena Church, Handthal
Above Handthal
Winter Vineyard Landscapes
Gallery March 2022
Monthly Archives: March 2022
A Wine Trail in Winter
Be prepared is the scout’s motto. And when winter hikers (like me that day) do not heed that advice, there can be unanticipated results, but fortunately friendly help can save the day. It was in the thirties and overcast when I began my drive to this hiking trail. Two hours later, it was below freezing and snowing, definitely not the spring weather I optimistically decided would certainly prevail in March. I decided to start the hike anyway, and arranged to meet a friend for lunch in Handthal, about midway to Breitbach from Gerolzhofen.
To be clear, the Weinsteiger trail itself-its condition, its signage, even its itinerary-was quite good. I intend to return someday to complete the itinerary, and enjoy the sights and adventures on offer along the trail. The issue was my lack of preparation for the weather, which can be colder, due to the elevation and exposure, than other parts of Franconia.
Wines Notes: Franconian Steigerwald
What I Learned:
The Franconian Wine Region in Germany has three distinct wine districts: the famous Maindreieck passing Wuerzburg, the Mainviereck, and the Steigerwald. Unlike the first two, the Steigerwald wine district is not located along the Main River. This means that the climate-moderating effects of a river do not apply here. And since here is in south-central Germany, winter weather can last for longer, with spring weather arriving later, and fall weather arriving earlier, than elsewhere in this region.
Weinsteiger: Trail in a Nutshell
Trail Name: Weinsteiger
Trail Type: Long distance; well-maintained and almost exclusively paved, marking on the trail
Length:
Total – 42.5 kilometers/26.4 miles
Segment Covered Here – @19.5 kilometers/ 12 miles*
Convenient to: Kitzingen, Schweinfurt, Germany
Marking:
Square with the word “Weinsteiger” in black on a white background, with a smaller square composed of light and dark green beneath the word. Sometimes seen on directional signs as well.
