This fall, a group of open-minded travelers came together for a journey of a lifetime: touring the vineyards of Germany and Austria to meet the producers of some of the world’s best nonalcoholic wines. The trip, curated by Zero Proof Experiences in partnership with Darci Murray of Hooked Alcohol-Free Travel, spanned 10 days across four locations, from the storied wine country along Germany’s Rhine River to a visit to Heidelberg and, ultimately, to Vienna, Austria, and the surrounding wine region. Along the way, the group enjoyed NA tastings at six different wineries, toured the beautiful countryside, and experienced city tours and delicious cuisine
The group’s first tasting was held at Leitz Winery in Geisenheim, Germany. A pioneer in the category, Leitz has been crafting NA wines for nearly a decade. Guests were treated to generous hospitality in a stunning vineyard setting and tasted 12 varietals from crisp Rieslings to elegant reds. Winemaker Johannes Leitz spoke to the group about his philosophies and the passion he puts into the winery’s alcohol-free options.
At Carl Jung, the group met Bernhard and Teresa Jung, the father-daughter team who are the fourth and fifth generation of Jungs to oversee the winery, which holds the original patent for the dealcoholization of wine.(See Carl Jung, p.20). The group toured the grounds and dealcoholizing facility and tasted the winery’s full line of NA products.
Next the group visited Weingut Bergdolt-Reif & Nett (sold under the brand name Nett) an award-winning, family-run wine estate in Duttweiler, Pfalz, Germany dating back to 1838. They learned about the future forward approach that wine maker Christian Nett brings to his work, combining the vineyard’s oldest traditions with a willingness to experiment with new ideas, including a broad range of premium dealcoholized wines. The group enjoyed a lovely spread of German meats and cheeses with the tasting.
During a visit to the abbey at Kloster Ebberbach in Eltville am Rhein, Germany, participants were treated to a candlelight wine tasting among the wooden wine casks in a vaulted stone room that dates back to the 12th century when the abbey first began producing wine. While the abbey no longer serves as a Cistercian monastery, they continue to produce a broad range of wines, including several crisp, sophisticated NA options available for purchase on the grounds.
At the fourth-generation family winery Weingut Matthias Anton, located in the sunny Herxheim bei Landau. The husband-and-wife team is passionate about sharing their NA options, including a dealcoholized Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, a rosé, and a Blanc de Blancs Sparkling.
After exploring the vineyards of Germany, the group made the seven-hour journey by train from Heidelberg to Vienna. Luggage, laughter, and teamwork made this a bonding experience not to be forgotten.
After a private tour of Vienna came a visit to Weingut Heribert Bayer in Neckenmarkt, Burgenland, maker of the premium NA wine line Zeronimo. Winemakers Katja Bernegger and Patrick Bayer discussed their methods for creating high-end, fully aromatic dealcoholized wines, sometimes from the finest aged wines the vineyard has to offer. Among the standouts in the tasting was their Century Blend, a wine carefully aged for over 20 years before being dealcoholized—a remarkable symbol of artistry and patience.
A Culture Shift in Motion
Throughout the journey, participants were pleasantly surprised to see how integrated NA wines were into the local culture, with options easily found on menus in vinotheks, tasting rooms, and restaurants large and small.
Beyond the vineyards and tastings, what truly defined this tour was its spirit of community and change. Participants came together not just to travel, but to help reimagine wine culture itself. The group was warmly welcomed into traditionally alcohol-centric spaces wherever they went.
The AF movement has grown from niche to mainstream, and experiences like this are showing the world just how expansive and joyful alcohol-free travel can be.
As the group flew home, the excitement lingered. This groundbreaking tour succeeded in creating a new kind of travel built on curiosity, connection, and the joy of discovery. ***
Participants: Susie Streelman, Darci Murray, Rikki Hepburn, Lisa Ferrante, Nicole Pietrandrea Hough, Lucy Marshall West, Shelley Keltner, Dan Henrich, Kristin Horstman, Evan Horstman, Patti Gallagher, Pamela Dawson, Colleen Clifford, Terry Dorn, Beth Dorn, Rick Streelman
