Löwenstein

We spent our first full day in Germany with friends in the wine region around Stuttgart. Bea, who visited us with Anne in April, is from a town called Löwenstein. Most of her family still lives there and operates a wonderful winery.

As soon as we arrived Bea took us on a walking tour of the area she grew up in. We climbed up through the vineyards onto a ridge overlooking the Bihlmeyer house and tasting room. On the way, Bea pointed out the different types of grapes and taught us a little about the harvesting process.

 

We sweated our way to the top on the hill. Just before the top, Bea directed us down a side trail. It dead-ended into a hole in the ground. Evidently, at the end of WWII, the advancing allies thought that the little town of Löwenstein would be able to defend the entrance to two valleys near the industrial center os Stuttgart. When they bombed the town, the villagers (including Bea's grandmother) hid in the cave.

At the peak of the hill, directly above the town, sits the ruined Löwenstein castle. Only one tower remains standing, but it was open and have us a great view over the valley and vineyards. The local kindergarten class regularly has picnics in the green courtyard between the ruined walls.

On the way home, we passed a Konditorei that was serving ice cream. We were hot hikers who were definitely in need of an Eis… and had no wallets. Lucky for us, the lady scooping knew our guide and took an IOU. I had chocolate chip topped with strawberry! 

At the Bihlmayer house, family and guests were already on the terrace. We joined them with glasses of water and wine for tasting. Over the next several hours we talked, ate an amazing meal prepared on the “Brie” (a South African grill), and played a silly version of croquet with nephew Emil. Between rain storms we put in an order and saw the view from the rooftop patio. Finally, we said our goodbyes and drove back to Stuttgart.