100 Years of Müller-Thurgau Smuggling on Lake Constance
The 'Müller' Anniversary: 100 Years of Müller-Thurgau Smuggling – and Everyone is Celebrating!
When his superiors once again rejected Johann Baptist Röhrenbach’s request to cultivate Müller-Thurgau vines, his resolve grew stronger: for the sake of this grape variety, he would turn to smuggling and secretly plant Müller-Thurgau. It was an April night in 1925 when the law was broken. Only four men were in on the secret. Taking the smuggling route across Lake Constance, they rowed from Immenstaad to Ermatingen and back, bringing 400 grafted vines to Schlossgut Kirchberg – “with a clear conscience.” What followed is history. The Müller-Thurgau vine became the most popular grape variety on Lake Constance – the quintessential regional wine – and for a long time, it was the world’s most widely planted white grape variety.
Important: Whether indulgent or adventurous – at the Müller-Thurgau anniversary, crossing borders is the goal. And there’s so much to taste and discover along the way!
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The History of Müller-Thurgau Smuggling on Lake Constance
The Müller-Thurgau grape variety is now one of the most widely cultivated in the world. But how did this extraordinary crossbreed make its way to Lake Constance? It all began in 1925 with a bold decision that laid the foundation for the grape variety now known as the Lake Constance vine.
175 Years of Hermann Müller-Thurgau
The Man Behind the Name: Hermann Müller-Thurgau (1850–1927) is one of Switzerland’s most influential scientists. His innovations in botany, vine breeding, and food science continue to have a global impact today.
In 2025, on his 175th birthday, a jubilee year will honor his legacy with a variety of events – from retrospectives to inspirations for a sustainable future.
Selected wine dates for the Müller-Thurgau year 2025
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11.01. |
Museum für Archäologie Frauenfeld: Bacchus & Co. – Wein am Bodensee – In vino veritas … |
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06.02. |
Museum für Archäologie Frauenfeld: Bacchus & Co. – Wein am Bodensee – Winzer, Händler, Zecher |
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06.03. |
Museum für Archäologie Frauenfeld: Bacchus & Co. – Wein am Bodensee – Wein damals und heute |
| 29.03. |
Museum für Archäologie Frauenfeld: Bacchus & Co. – Wein am Bodensee – Gift oder Heilmittel? |
| 12.04. |
Wine x Dine (Weingut Vollmayer am Hohentwiel und Natalie Lumpp) im Hotel Steigenberger, Konstanz |
| 01.05. | |
| 01.05. | Arenenberg - Opening of the Special Exhibition and Open Wine Cellar Day |
| 06.05. |
Museum für Archäologie Frauenfeld: Bacchus & Co. – Wein am Bodensee – Vom Pollenkorn zum vollen Horn |
| 09.05. - 10.05. |
100 Jahre Rebschmuggel – 1 besonderes Hoffest auf dem Weingut Röhrenbach |
| 22.05. |
'Sagen'hafter Wein: Arenenberger Geschichte, die den Genuss verzaubert“ |
| 24.05. | |
| 17.07. | 'Sagen'hafter Wein: Arenenberger Geschichte, die den Genuss verzaubert“ |
| 19.08. | Sail & Wine - Müller-Thurgau Edition | Immenstaad |
| 30.08. | |
| 11.09. | 'Sagen'hafter Wein: Arenenberger Geschichte, die den Genuss verzaubert“ |
Must-dos for wine fans: Unforgettable experiences (not only) in the anniversary year
Discover the unique wine and culinary experiences that await you around Lake Constance. We have put together the best excursion destinations for wine & culinary highlights for your enjoyable time at Lake Constance.
Connecting wine routes
A wine tour through the four-country region of Lake Constance is a unique experience where you can travel through Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein in just one day - always with a glass of excellent wine in your hand and Lake Constance in view. Here you will find suggestions with different focuses for a varied tour:
Combination tip: The Bodensee Card PLUS from just 78 euros!
With the Bodensee Card PLUS, you already have your admission ticket to many experiences related to Müller-Thurgau smuggling in your hand. For example, discover the Napolenon Museum Arenenberg, the vineum bodensee, a wine tasting in Hagnau, a tasting at the Matthias Röhrenbach winery and the Lake Constance cruise.
Buy the Bodensee Card PLUS
Purchase the Bodensee Card PLUS conveniently online or at one of the numerous local sales outlets and benefit from the all-inclusive package. Choose flexibly between a 3- or 7-day card to explore the Lake Constance region according to your personal plans.
Buy your Bodensee Card PLUS here