Wine on Lake Constance
No borders enjoyment in the four-country region
Lake Constance Stars
The most beautiful sites above Lake Constance traditionally belong to vineyards. The Müller-Thurgau, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir grapes enjoy sunny lake views from the Rhine Valley to the Rhine Falls. Viticulture has shaped the landscape and the people here for centuries. Everything that makes the hearts of wine fans beat faster can be found around the lake: Unforgettable wine excursion destinations, events, wine hiking trails, bookable experiences and accommodation offers.
In 2025, the Lake Constance region celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Müller-Thurgau grapevine smuggling – a milestone marking the story of a grape variety that continues to shape the region today. In 2026, this legacy lives on as Lake Constance invites visitors to discover its outstanding wine culture, featuring distinctive vineyards, authentic winery experiences and culinary delights set between the lake, rolling vines and four countries.
Eight Wine-Growing Areas – One Wine Region
The Lake Constance region is home to a unique cross-border wine region comprising eight distinctive wine-growing areas: Baden Lake Constance, Württemberg Lake Constance and Bavarian Lake Constance in Germany; St. Gallen Rhine Valley, Thurgau and Schaffhausen Blauburgunderland in Switzerland; the Principality of Liechtenstein; and Vorarlberg in Austria.
These regions are united by the exceptional climate of the four-country area. Lake Constance acts as a natural heat reservoir, moderating temperature fluctuations and creating mild conditions that are ideal for viticulture. At the same time, each wine-growing area is shaped by its own soils, landscapes and traditions, giving every region its distinctive character. The result is an impressive diversity of wine styles, ranging from traditional varieties such as Müller-Thurgau and Pinot Noir (Blauburgunder) to Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and many other regional specialities.
The top wine experiences at Lake Constance ...
- Enjoy a glass of Lake Constance wine in a tavern along the shoreline
- Climb Germany's highest vineyard, the “Hohentwiel” in Singen
- Visit one of the many wine festivals
- Enjoy a beautiful wine views of Baden at the Lerchenberg memorial in Meersburg
- Taste from the Court Winery of the Princely Family of Liechtenstein
- Learn exciting things about viticulture on wine hiking trails
- Visit the largest continuous vineyard landscape in German-speaking Switzerland, the Blauburgunderland
- Visit the westernmost “Heurige” or wine tavern of Austria in the capital city of Bregenz
The first wine at the lake
The first wine was planted on the monastery island of Reichenau in 818 under Abbot Heito I. The reason was simple: the monasteries of Reichenau, Ittingen, Fischingen, St.Gallen and Salem needed mass wine. For a long time they were the most important vineyard owners besides the nobility. Only later did they become the property of the state. At first, the winegrowers on Lake Constance did not have an easy time. Cold winters, poor harvests and the consequences of the war years caused the winegrowers problems. The grape variety Elbling was mainly cultivated and its sour taste gave the lake wine a very bad reputation. However, the freezing frost also had a decisive advantage: new grape varieties were sought that would be suited to the climatic conditions of the Lake Constance region.
Müller-Thurgau: The wine of hope
The white grape variety Müller-Thurgau is the result of the work of Professor Hermann Müller. The professor from Tägerwilen in the Swiss canton of Thurgau crossed Riesling with other grape varieties. For a long time he was not sure which vine produced Müller-Thurgau. Today we know that Madeleine Royale was used. Outside Switzerland, however, his breeding was initially ignored. In a night-time smuggling operation, the vine later reached the German shore where it was cultivated secretly by Johann Baptist Röhrenbach. The young winemaker was convinced that the early ripening Müller-Thurgau would help Lake Constance wine gain a better reputation. He was eventually proved right.
Pinot Noir: A recipe for success
Another grape variety that contributes to the success of Lake Constance wines is Pinot Noir - also known in Switzerland as Blauburgunder, Clevner or Cortaillod. This demanding grape variety requires a balanced climate to mature to its fullest flavour. Lake Constance provides the ideal conditions for this. Its silky and fresh strength makes it the most frequently cultivated red wine variety in the Lake Constance region today. Various types of wine are made from the dark blue multi-talented grape: Salmon red rosé wines (Federweisser) as well as light and dark red wines. Furthermore, pinot noir is present in almost all Champagne wines. And the final surprise: There is more red than white wine today on Lake Constance.
Wine experiences at a glance
If you would like to learn more about Lake Constance wine, you’re in the right place:
you’ll find more at selected wineries, passionate winemakers and in expert museums.
Book your wine experiences
Wine becomes an experience with exceptional tastings and special arrangements for individuals and groups. Click here for an overview of these and other bookable wine offers at Lake Constance
Wine hiking trails
Discover the countryside, stroll through vineyards and enjoy typical regional dishes on the way to the wine. Whether by bike or hiking boots, get very close to the vines on these tours. There are additional wine tours in the Bodenee Tourenportal »
Accommodation offers
Stay overnight at the winegrower's ... even in a wine barrel! Suitable arrangements round off your pleasure vacation in the Lake Constance wine region.
German Wine Smugglers – the Müller-Thurgau Story
On a spring night in 1925, two local young men secretly set off in a row boat. Their fathers eagerly awaited their return home from the Swiss side. The young men had 400 grafted vines in their boat. Johann Baptiste Röhrenbach was determined to cultivate Müller-Thurgau grapes after tasting it for the first time at Arenenberg Castle on the Swiss side of Bodensee. He was so smitten with the refreshing white wine that he decided to smuggle the vines back home. The variety was a new hybrid showing superstar promise in the wine world and he knew this early ripening grape was ideal for cultivation in Germany. After the successful smuggling operation, Röhrenbach began to cultivate the wine, but was only allowed to press small quantities in Immenstaad. The new wine soon became the hot topic among connoisseurs and in spring 1926, the wine thief repeated his smuggling tour and secretly distributed vines to interested winegrowers. Today, Müller-Thurgau is the most widely cultivated grape in the region.
Further information
The wine associations around Lake Constance are competent partners for all aspects of Lake Constance wine: from the winegrowers and wineries to the grape varieties and tastings.
Header picture: www.bayern.by - Gert Krautbauer