– These are the ten most beautiful vineyards
The canton has included various vineyard landscapes around Winterthur in its protective inventory. They all have their charms – and yet there are differences.
Published today at 5:30 am
The vineyards in Dachsen extend to the village with its timber-framed houses.
Photo: Madeleine Schoder
The grapes have been picked and the leaves on the vines have turned golden yellow or have already fallen off. The vineyards in the Winterthur region can be seen at any time of year, but a trip is most worthwhile in autumn.
Ten vineyards around Winterthur are considered to be particularly valuable in terms of landscape. They are therefore entered in the cantonal inventory of landscape protection objects. All of the vineyards listed there can be combined with hikes or tastings.
Schiterberg Kleinandelfingen: The steep vineyard by the river
A hiking trail leads from Andelfingen to the Schiterberg in Kleinandelfingen.
Archivfoto: Enzo Lopardo
Harvesting on the Schiterberg in Kleinandelfingen is strenuous. The vineyard slope is considered the steepest in the canton and is also appropriately known as Himmelsleiterli. It is located on the Thur plain and is completely covered with vines, which creates an impressive overall picture.
What is striking are the many vine houses that are scattered across the slope like a giant. The vineyard was included in the cantonal protection inventory because its shape and location are unique in the canton.
Worth mentioning is an elevation in the middle of the vineyard, which is reminiscent of Schiterberg Castle. The Schiterberg building from the 13th century was described as “broken”, i.e. destroyed, as early as the middle of the 16th century.
Rudolfingen: wine country like in the old days
The Trüllik village of Rudolfingen with its half-timbered houses is located directly on a vineyard slope.
Archivfoto: Heinz Diener
Rudolfingen was best known for its pumpkin festival. But even without the festival, the Trüllik village is worth a visit. Directly behind the timber-framed houses, a vineyard rises up towards the edge of the forest. There are no visually disturbing buildings anywhere, there are also fruit trees and kitchen gardens that are reminiscent of small-scale agriculture, as was the tradition in the region.
The area was included in the cantonal protection inventory because the vineyards and the village center form a landscape typical of the wine country. The inventory says that the area is “extremely attractive” for those seeking relaxation – we can only agree with that.
Badgers: biodiversity in the wine-growing village
The vineyards above Dachsen turn golden yellow in autumn.
Photo: Madeleine Schoder
Dachsen is known to many excursionists primarily because of its proximity to the Rhine. A hiking trail leads along the river to the Rhine Falls. However, less word has got around that the old wine-growing village with its vineyards also has its charms.
The vineyard slope is easily accessible and, according to the protection inventory, forms “a closed belt” in the lower area. Further up there are vines, meadows with fruit trees and small kitchen gardens, which are valuable for many animal and insect species. Dry stone walls offer additional habitats.
Benken: Through the vineyard to the restaurant
The vineyard slope above Benken gently climbs towards the edge of the forest.
Archivfoto: Patrick Gutenberg
The situation in Benken is very similar to that in Rudolfingen. Here too, the vineyard begins right on the edge of the village and then climbs towards the edge of the forest. Together with the village, it forms a landscape characterized by viticulture, typical of the region.
Unlike in Rudolfingen, newer single-family home developments break through the picture in Benken. They were created outside the village and therefore, according to the inventory, have a disruptive effect on the overall picture. Directly above the vineyard slope is the Guggere Inn, which offers views over the valley.
Stammheim: From vineyard to vineyard
The Gallus Chapel in Oberstammheim is located in the middle of the vineyard landscape.
Photo: Madeleine Schoder
On the flanks of the Stammerberg there is vineyard after vineyard. Paths meander in between, there are benches and the Gallus Chapel. The entire landscape is characterized by viticulture, according to the protection inventory. These include the typical vineyard houses and the intact townscapes of Ober- and Unterstammheim, which are unique in the canton, with their “incomparable stock of old timber-framed houses”.
The vineyards can also be explored via a Vita trail, the starting point of which is above Unterstammheim. Or you can hike up the Stammerberg to the Hochwacht observation tower or visit the Gallus Chapel.
Wiesendangen: Rural charm on the edge of the settlement
The vineyard slope near Wiesendangen offers views of the nearby village.
Archivfoto: Heinz Diener
The Berghof near Wiesendangen is located on a kind of high plateau that is surrounded by extensive vineyard slopes. On the south side you can see the village of Wiesendangen with its church tower. Hedges, trees and fruit trees characterize the picture. In the Berghof, grapes are pressed from surrounding farms – in true style in a picturesque landscape.
According to the conservation inventory, the area impresses with its “unblemished, rural charm” despite its proximity to the agglomeration. The hills are also geologically interesting and are part of a mighty moraine wall of cantonal importance.
Neftenbach: Riegelhäuser im Rebberg
The local museum of Neftenbach is located in the middle of the vineyards.
Archivfoto: Heinz Diener
The Neftenbach local museum is also worth seeing from the outside. It is located in a timber-framed house in the middle of the vineyards and is reminiscent of traditional viticulture in the region. In the museum, visitors can immerse themselves in the history of the community with “time capsules”; it was recently renovated.
According to the conservation inventory, the landscape on the edge of the village of Neftenbach is characterized by a rural and quiet character. This forms a strong contrast to the adjacent, large-scale residential areas of Neftenbach and Pfungen.
Goldenberg in Dorf: Nomen est omen
The vineyard slope near Goldenberg Castle is located directly above the village of Dorf.
Photo: Marc Dahinden
The Goldenberg in the Flaachtal lives up to its name in late autumn. The leaves of the vines turn golden yellow and shimmer even when the Weinländer Valley is covered in fog. The Schloss Goldenberg winery with a golf club and restaurant sits enthroned on the vineyard hill, but will not open again until spring 2024.
The geometric arrangement of the vines on the castle hill and the striking poplar avenue are mentioned in the cantonal protection inventory. “These shape the harmonious appearance.”
Henggart: Surrounded by forest in the valley
The vineyards near Henggart are located in a richly structured landscape.
Archivfoto: Moritz Hager
The large vineyard in Henggart is located on the edge of the village in a valley that is mostly surrounded by forest. A second vineyard rises nearby. There are also meadows, hedges and bushes, which overall form a richly structured cultural landscape according to the protection inventory. Numerous traditional vineyard houses have also been preserved in the vineyards.
Flat Valley: vine houses and rose bushes
The Worrenberg in the Flaachtal can be seen from far away and offers beautiful panoramic views from above.
Archivfoto: Marc Dahinden
The Worrenberg stands out from afar with its lettering. The striking hill in the Flaachtal is one of the largest vineyards in the canton. A hiking trail leads over the Worbig, as the hill is also called, and offers views towards Irchel and Thurauen.
Typical cultural landscape elements are mentioned in the cantonal protection inventory, such as traditional vineyards and rose bushes. Thanks to hedges and embankments, the Worrenberg has high ecological values.
At the beginning of 2022, the canton defined 229 particularly valuable landscapes, including the ten wine-growing areas mentioned in the article. Many of these were already included in the previous inventory. Protection goals have been defined for everyone. In principle, however, only a “presumption of protection” applies. We only take a closer look when a construction project is underway. In addition, winegrowers could theoretically clear their vines. There are no usage regulations included in the inventory. However, those responsible hope that the inventory will raise awareness of the special features of the landscape. (roh)
more on the subjectRafael Rohner is deputy head of the Winterthur Region department. He has been working in journalism since 2010 and has a bachelor’s degree in communications and a federal degree. Certificate as an environmental specialist.More information
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2023-11-11 04:31:05
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