Neuffen combines a history of winegrowing with striking buildings and a distinctive hiking destination: Hohenneuffen Castle. Kelterplatz brings the close connection between the town’s history and its winegrowing heritage to life; the premium hiking trail “hochgehkeltert” also begins in Neuffen. You can therefore choose different focuses for your stay: local history, wine, or a hike through vineyards and heathland up to the castle.
Winegrowing and Town History
The town and wine tour in Neuffen offers a feast for the eyes and the palate. First impressions and stories at Kelterplatz show just how closely the town’s history is connected to winegrowing. The square is home to the barn built there in 2006, flanked by two listed buildings. It was built as a market barn for a producers’ or weekly market.
Winegrowing is closely tied to Neuffen’s history and was first mentioned there in 1239. Records confirm that there were four wine presses in the Middle Ages. The range of varieties grown today also offers a glimpse into winegrowing: white grape varieties account for 50 percent of the vineyard area, including Silvaner, Müller-Thurgau, Kerner, Riesling, Pinot Blanc and Ruländer. Red varieties are also grown: Pinot Noir, Schwarzriesling, Dornfelder, Portugieser, Lemberger, Trollinger and Acolon. The distribution of varieties may change over time.
St. Martin’s Church and the Great House
The origins of St. Martin’s Church probably date back to the 6th century. The church in its present dimensions was built in the first half of the 14th century. Inside is the Mount of Olives, a work of stone carving donated by Albert Schaich in 1504. It depicts Jesus’s struggle in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane and Judas’s betrayal, and survived the devastating fire.
St. Martin’s Church is listed as open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from April to October. Check before your visit whether these hours are still in effect. The Great House houses the town museum and public library. A rare surviving example of an aristocratic residence within the town walls, it is also architecturally noteworthy. Check the current arrangements for visits before you go.
Hiking to Hohenneuffen Castle
Hohenneuffen is one of the area’s best-known destinations for day trips. From there, the view stretches along the Swabian Alb ridge across the Neckar region and the Stuttgart heights to the Black Forest and the Swabian-Franconian Forest. Sections of the castle’s shield wall, more than three metres thick, and inner ring wall have been preserved.
The premium hiking trail “hochgehkeltert” begins right in Neuffen and leads through vineyards and the Neuffen Heath up to Hohenneuffen Castle, where there is a panoramic restaurant. The route combines a walk through the landscape with a destination known both for its views and its surviving sections of wall.
For more hiking options, the Neuffen hiking map features five routes put together with the support of the Neuffen local group of the Swabian Alb Association. While “hochgehkeltert” is described in detail, including its starting point, landscapes and destination, the map provides an overview of five planned hiking routes. When planning, you can choose between a clearly identified route to the castle and a selection of several tours.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Ostfildern, Reichenbach An Der Fils, Filderstadt, Nellingen, Oberboihingen, NĂĽrtingen, Denkendorf, Wendlingen
See the main travel overview: Esslingen.
