Try wine, buy wine
Lübeck was already an important wine trading center in the Middle Ages. As early as 1224, Lübeck merchants traveled to the Rhine to purchase wine, which at that time only the wealthiest citizens of Lübeck could afford. The city profited considerably from the wine trade, as the merchants had to pay an excise duty. Wine was considered – even by physicians – to have a positive effect on digestion, blood formation, and mood. In the 16th and 17th centuries, the trade in red wines from France gained in importance.
the term " Lübecker Rotspon ." The Low German name derives from "rot" – for red wine – and "spon" – meaning chip or splinter – the wooden sliver used in wine barrels. These are wines that were purchased in France and transported to Lübeck on Hanseatic merchant ships for aging and bottling on site. To this day, the story goes that Napoleon's troops, who occupied Lübeck in 1806, plundered the Lübeck wine cellars and were astonished to find that the Rotspon tasted significantly better than the wine back home in France.
None of us were present when this realization dawned on the occupiers. But it's a charming legend nonetheless. The tradition of producing Rotspon wine has remained true in Lübeck to this day. Today, I invite you to join me on a visit to seven places where you can enjoy wine and, if you wish, purchase some directly. However, Rotspon is by no means the only highlight you'll discover along the way.
7 towers – 7 tips
Awesome wine bar
" It's a shame you can't stroke wine, " said Kurt Tucholsky. This is the motto of the Knorke wine bar on its website, and, true to this philosophy, it welcomes its guests at Fleischhauerstraße 80. Nestled among old townhouses and bathed in the evening light, this gem is charming, relaxed, and surprisingly refined. Here, you sit on creative furniture and savor your carefully selected glass of wine. With more than 300 wines to choose from, you might find it difficult to decide. So, feel free to ask your host, Gabrijel Pranjic , the owner of Schlumacher's, which is practically around the corner. For accompaniments, try the truffle popcorn, goat cheese with honey, or potato cakes with salmon – small plates with a big impact. Reservations are recommended – because once you've been here, you'll want to come back.
A SMALL NOTICE: Knorke is currently closed (as of August 2025). They are moving to new premises. We will update you here as soon as this wonderful wine bar can be found in its new location.
Lübeck Wine Office
At Pfaffenstraße 18-20, Jörg and Dirk Iwan 's Wein-Kontor, spread across two floors in historic premises . A true Lübeck institution! The wine shop has been located here since 2014. They've since opened a branch in the Town Hall courtyard , bringing a fresh energy to this spot in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Old Town. There, you can also enjoy your glass of wine outdoors. – Incidentally, the Town Hall courtyard is one of my favorite places to gaze up at the sky and the imposing towers of St. Mary's Church. – Both locations offer a relaxed atmosphere. Many guests have been coming for years and are practically part of the family. These two wine connoisseurs feel a deep connection to Lübeck and are hosts with heart and soul. You can choose from more than 50 wines by the glass and enjoy it with small delicacies. The two house brands, Rathaus-Sekt-Edition and Emanuel-Geibel-Sekt, are particularly popular.
Miera Wine Bar
At the popular address Hüxstraße 59, you'll find the Miera Wine Bar. This small, cozy bar is located in the building next door to Manfred Miera . Here, you're welcome to linger, choose from over 150 wines, taste them, and perhaps even purchase a bottle or two for your own wine collection. I recently discovered the "Blutsbruder" red wine from the Karl-May winery . A dry red with a wonderful berry flavor. I highly recommend visiting the Miera Wine Bar for a wine tasting. It's always a pleasure to experience Manfred Miera as he presents exquisite wines and shares background information about the winemakers, all of whom he knows personally.
Nordic Wine House
At Fleischhauerstraße 30, Nordic Wine House awaits you The Nordic Wine House also offers another Lübeck specialty: Coellmann marzipan bread, handmade on-site
Pallhuber Wine House
Pallhuber winery was founded by Heinrich Maximilian Pallhuber and Karl-Heinz Paul in Langenlonsheim, Rhineland-Palatinate, with the aim of making wine enjoyment uncomplicated and accessible to everyone. This award-winning winery emphasizes personal consultation, quality-tested products, and a diverse selection of red, white, and rosé wines from around the world. In addition to wines, the shop at Hüxstraße 73 also offers exclusive liqueurs, fruit juices, and other gourmet specialties.
Wine Castle
"The flounder wants to swim." The Wein-Castell at Glockengießerstraße 19 is another traditional address in Lübeck. Kurt Thater carries wines from Europe, with a focus on Italy, Spain, and Portugal, as well as white wines from Germany. He knows the taste of every wine offered here. For him, sharing his expertise with his customers is a matter of course.
The wine shop is located right next to the Günter Grass House. Between 2002 and 2014, Nobel laureate Günter Grass, who was also a keen artist, designed the labels for the red and white wines of the Grass Edition. He usually chose one of his famous animal characters as the annual motif. Günter Grass himself developed the idea and only skipped it twice, Kurt Thater tells me. In 2011 and 2013, Grass simply forgot.
Weinhaus HF Von Melle
The last tip in this alphabetically ordered list takes us to the HF von Melle wine house at Beckergrube 86. Of those mentioned here, it is the oldest and most traditional wine house. Althäuser sparkling wine and Lübecker Rotspon are two of the house specialties, popular far beyond the borders of Lübeck. Many guests from Scandinavia are also among the house's regular customers.
Melle's high-quality Rotspon wines range from light, southern French wines to those from the renowned Bordeaux appellations. Managing Director and certified viticulturist Manuel Mack told me during a Rotspon tasting that the term has been protected since 1965. I recommend the " Fredenhagen " Rotspon – a Syrah from the Languedoc. A dry wine with a touch of residual sweetness. It's named after Thomas Fredenhagen, a wealthy Lübeck merchant who first imported red wines from France to Lübeck in the 17th century.
You should definitely visit the wine house, not just for a wine tasting or to buy wine. The building is a wonderful example of a typical merchant's house from the Hanseatic era, with a large hall large enough for carriages to drive into, a kitchen called the "Dornse," and a small garden. It doesn't get much more traditional than this!
Fancy enjoying some wine in Lübeck?
I hope I've given you some inspiration, and above all, that you can enjoy your wine in good company. Because even the Lübeck poet Emanuel Geibel knew: " That's what should be praised about wine: It's best enjoyed by two ."