How did winegrowers in Rheinhessen cultivate grapes over 100 years ago? What was their everyday life like? Anyone who wants to find out exactly can do so in the historic winegrower's cellar in Ingelheim. The lushly planted foyer with its architecturally impressive glass roof right next to the tourist information office reveals nothing about the history of wine.

The expedition into the past takes curious visitors two stories down: sandstone steps worn by hard-working cellar workers lead them into a large vaulted cellar – beautifully lined with light-colored bricks. Modern and mysteriously lit, 24 artistically carved annual barrels are lined up against the quarry stone wall – filled with countless wine stories.

Stories and images relating to each individual year can be accessed via transparent touchscreens. Visitors can listen to music typical of the selected period in the "sound shower." An original page from a newspaper from the corresponding year transports visitors back to the news situation of that time: 1968, for example, focuses on the student unrest.

Entire batteries of well-preserved concrete barrels with original tiles are now authentic exhibits. Some have been cut open and serve as activity islands. In one of them, cellar talks take place: visitors sit down at a table, and on the screen opposite, an actor recounts the stories handed down by the men and women who worked in the winegrowers' cooperative for decades. The vinological storytelling provides unusual insights into the everyday working life of the "cellar comrades."

Another concrete barrel shows the steps involved in bottling wine. Another is called the "scent lab," where visitors are asked to identify six typical wine cellar smells. The scent quiz involves sniffing out smells such as lye, metal, sweat, glue, cardboard, and red wine.

Interactive contact with the founders: Clicking on individual people in the group photo taken in the excavation pit of the winegrowers' cooperative in 1904 reveals that person's personal history – a treasure trove of information about wine personalities and their destinies. Within a year, the 106 members of the cooperative, founded in 1901, erected the imposing building. In their honor, the "Walk of Wine – how cooperatives work" vividly illustrates the individual work steps along the concrete barrels.

Anyone who pays close attention to this impressive exhibition, which opened in April 2022, will know exactly how wine is made. At the end of the multimedia show, everyone can create a beautiful personal memory with a "corked wish": write your wishes on a piece of paper, put it in a wine bottle, and cork it yourself.

After visiting the exhibition, you can enjoy a wine tasting in the wine bar, where wines from 25 Ingelheim winegrowers are available. The exhibition can be visited free of charge during the tourist information center's opening hours, but it is recommended to take part in a guided tour.

The wine cellar also includes a wine restaurant with an appealing menu and regular cultural events in the first basement of the wine cellar. For example, readings and music evenings take place here. The premises can also be used for conferences.

The Great Wine Capitals Best of Wine Tourism Award 2023 in the “Art & Culture” category goes to the “Winzerkeller Ingelheim.” The jury was thoroughly impressed by the successful, elaborate multimedia concept showcasing the fascinating history of a winegrowers’ cooperative, combined with interesting events.