OestrichWinkel

Oestrich-Winkel is a town in the Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis, in the state of Hesse, Germany. It lies on the eastern bank of the Rhine in the Rheingau wine region, opposite Rüdesheim am Rhein. The town is known for its viticulture and scenic hillside vineyards that overlook the river.

In 1972 the municipalities of Oestrich and Winkel were merged to form Oestrich-Winkel as part of Hesse’s municipal reforms. The town comprises historic cores centered around Oestrich and Winkel and maintains a long tradition of wine production dating back to the Middle Ages.

The local economy is dominated by winegrowing, with Riesling being the emblematic variety of the Rheingau. Winkel houses Schloss Vollrads, one of Germany’s oldest wine estates, and several other wineries; the region attracts wine tourists and participates in Rhine valley wine routes. The vineyards and winery estates contribute to the local cultural identity and tourism.

Oestrich-Winkel is served by the Rheingau railway line, with Oestrich-Winkel station connecting to Wiesbaden, Rüdesheim, and Koblenz, and it is accessible by road via regional routes into the Rheingau. The town also features historic architecture, including traditional town centers with timber-framed houses and churches linked to the region’s medieval heritage.