Many treasures lie hidden: Viewed from the street, the closed facade of this house in Westhofen looks just as unassuming as many others in Rheinhessen. Even when you walk through the house into the cobblestone courtyard with its half-timbered walls and potted plants, visitors still find themselves in familiar territory. But anyone who climbs the steep stone staircase up to the garden will be surprised and find themselves in another world: an intoxicating, timeless garden paradise that enchants the senses.

During the growing season, the lush perennials, bursting with thousands of flowers, fill the Baroque garden—designed after historical models. “The garden found us!” says Iris Leonhardt.

Together with Jürgen Süß, she purchased the garden and the historic 17th-century house in 2007. Typically, real estate buyers look for a “house with a garden”—but here, the order was deliberately reversed: the passionate gardening enthusiasts were looking for an appealing garden with a house. And the couple found just that in Rheinhessen: an old farmstead with a courtyard and garden plot—a typical “Hofreite.” Modeled after historic Baroque gardens, the product designer and the globally active chemist created an enchanting garden. With precisely planned structures: straight paths, clearly defined spaces. Between an old cherry tree, a very old almond tree, an old walnut tree, and a French Renette apple tree, they planted countless perennials.

Around 80 peonies alone now grow in the enchanted garden, protected by a meter-high quarry stone wall. Iris Leonhardt and Jürgen Süß have planted historical varieties in different colors. The plants come from selected breeders – formerly more often from England, but now from German suppliers such as the Royal Garden Academy in Berlin. When buying plants, Iris and Jürgen pay attention to traditional ecological propagation. Environmentally conscious plant and soil cultivation is also a priority when gardening. Insect-friendly, ecological garden maintenance ensures a clearly perceptible background noise during the growing season: there is buzzing and humming in every corner and on every plant in the lively garden. Color spaces are created across a thousand square meters: there is the red area, the white-blue area, and the green area. A sophisticated lighting concept also allows the quarry stone wall to shine in different colors. A garden to marvel at and relax in—a counterpoint to stressful everyday working life: for gardeners and visitors alike.

The cherry tree has a basement—a perfect exhibition space for artist Iris Leonhardt. The freely designed, partially painted clay sculptures are impressively showcased here. Her expressive paintings hang in other rooms. Art and culture, nature and recipes, architecture and wine: the beautiful things in life are tastefully combined in Westhofen. Summer blossoms and painting, exhibitions, garden experiences and wine tastings: "rheingrün" offers a unique, plant-rich stage for art, culture, sensory experiences and emotions, where visitors can indulge in pleasure. The Rhineland-Palatinate Cultural Summer supports the diverse events in Westhofen. "rheingrün" is a special place: rooted in the region, with a charisma that extends far beyond it.

The “Rheingrün Hofgarten” more than deserves the Great Wine Capitals Best of Wine Tourism Award 2023 in the national “Architecture, Parks, and Gardens” category. The successful concept—combining a vibrant garden, contemporary art, readings, and concerts—also impressed the international jury and was therefore honored with the global Best of Wine Tourism Award.