Best Vineyard Views Detail

The Altenahrer Eck vineyard is named after the Ekka castle complex, which was razed to the ground in 1249. At its western end, the vineyard borders onto the ruins of Are Castle, while its eastern boundary is formed by the Ravenley, a striking rock formation above the Altenahr district of Reimerzhoven. The terraced vineyards are particularly steep here, but their weathered shale and greywacke soils produce outstanding wines. The Altenahrer Eck provides spectacular views of Are Castle, which was built above the town around 1100, and destroyed in 1714. The ruin’s keep dates back to the 14th century, and the remaining building sections to approximately 1760. The area around the town of Altenahr was settled as early as Frankish times, though the town itself only formed once the castle was erected. The first wine festival was held in Altenahr in the 1930s, and the wine-growing town remains a popular holiday and day-trip destination to this day.