A total of eleven municipalities - Benningen am Neckar, Besigheim, Bönnigheim, Freiberg am Neckar, Gemmrigheim, Hessigheim, Ingersheim, Kirchheim am Neckar, Lauffen am Neckar, Mundelsheim and Walheim - and the district of Ludwigsburg joined forces five years ago to jointly preserve the unique cultural landscape of the steep slopes.
District Administrator Dietmar Allgaier congratulates the association on this anniversary and the work it has done: "I would like to thank the Neckarschleifen e.V. regional development association for its valuable work and congratulate it on its anniversary. The projects show impressively how committed and sustainable the work is to preserve our unique steep slopes. I am proud that the district of Ludwigsburg is part of this strong network."
The chairman of the association, Dr. Jörg Frauhammer, puts it in a nutshell: "The past five years show what is possible when people work together. Five years full of ideas, passion and cohesion - and the association will continue!"
Impressive results: 78 projects in five years
Since 2020, 78 projects have been realized with funding totalling around 950,000 euros. The basis for this is the regional budget, a funding instrument to strengthen rural areas. Small projects with a net investment volume of between €2,500 and €20,000 are subsidized, with 80% of the costs being covered.
The projects are selected by a broad-based advisory board with currently 18 members from the fields of nature conservation, tourism, viticulture and administration. Funding amounting to 145,000 euros is currently available, of which 125,000 euros comes from state funds in accordance with the GAK framework plan ("Joint Task for the Improvement of Agricultural Structures and Coastal Protection"). The remaining funds are the required co-financing share of the participating municipalities.
Exemplary projects from five years of association work
Some of the funded projects impressively demonstrate how diverse and effective the association's work is. They are presented in more detail below.
Project 1: Renovation of a historic Wen gerthäuschenin Freiberg am Neckar
With the support of the Regionalentwicklung Neckarschleifen e.V. association, a historic Wengerthäuschen in Freiberg am Neckar was renovated in the 2021 project year. These small buildings used to serve as a shelter for the Wengertschütz and as storage for equipment. Now the renovated cottage serves as a weather shelter for hikers and cyclists and offers seating along the popular circular hiking trail "Hoch über der Neckarschleife". An information board on the history and the magnificent view over the Neckar valley make the place a special place to stay. Peter Müller, City of Freiberg: "Cooperation on the project was good and unbureaucratic. The application documents were clear and the payment formalities were quick and accurate."
Project sponsor contact:
Stadt Freiberg a.N., Peter Müller (Head of the Law and Order Department)
Tel. 07141 278109; email: p.mueller[at]freiberg-an.de
Project 2: "Winni" - the mobile wine trolley in Mundelsheim.
The mobile wine sales van "Winni" brings wine directly to the people. The municipality of Mundelsheim purchased the vehicle in 2021 and it has been used extensively at festivals, birthdays and events ever since.
"The trolley is an enrichment for village life and is well known everywhere. The handling with the association was excellent - it could be so unconventional more often," says Mundelsheim Mayor Boris Seitz.
Contact project sponsor:
Municipality of Mundelsheim, Mayor Boris Seitz,
Tel. 07143 8177-12; email: boris.seitz[at]mundelsheim.de
Project 3: Signposting the "Schlossbergrunde" hiking trail in Ingersheim
In 2022, a group of citizens, in coordination with the municipality of Ingersheim, equipped the steep slope hiking trail "Schlossbergrunde" with new information boards with funding from the Neckarschleifen e.V. regional development association. The signage provides information on the topic of viticulture, introduces local businesses and points out places of interest.
Contact project sponsor:
Weingut Velte; owner Felix Groß
Tel: 01578/0309037; email: info[at]weingut-velte.de
Project 4: Self-sufficient wine vending machine in Wurmbergweg in Hessigheim
The Siggi winery renovated a vineyard cottage in 2022 with the support of the Neckarschleifen e.V. regional development association and equipped it with an innovative wine vending machine The solar-powered vending machine is unique in Germany. It is available to hikers on the path to the rock gardens and offers regional wines.
Amanda Eigner, project coordinator at Siggi Winery: "The association was able to significantly speed up supposedly complicated and lengthy procedures at administrative level, as access to the relevant authorities was greatly simplified."
Contact project sponsor:
Weingut Siggi
Phone: +49 173 7054970; email: info@siggi-weine.de
Project 5: Participation station of the Lauffender Weingärtner eG in Mundelsheim
There has been another highlight in Mundelsheim since 2024. Lauffener Weingärtner eG has set up four hands-on stations along the existing hiking trail to introduce young and old to viticulture in a fun way. Themes such as animals in the vineyard, vine structure and working in the vineyard are vividly conveyed. The association is particularly pleased to support this project, which introduces children and young people to the subject of viticulture. Anyone who photographs or notes down the solutions will receive a small gift in the Käsbergkeller Mundelsheim. "The collaboration was efficient, uncomplicated and quick. The feedback has been very positive - our hands-on stations have been well received," says project manager Sonja Schult.
Contact project sponsor:
Lauffener Weingärtner eG; Sonja Schult
Tel. 07143/8155-217; Mail: schult[at]lauffener-wein.de
Project 6: Gemmrigheim wine views
The "Gemmrigheimer Weinsommer" (Gemmrigheim Wine Summer) has been running since 2021 and aims to offer and taste the steep-slope wines where they are produced. The wine view benches are intended to offer locals, hikers and tourists opportunities to rest and relax in the middle of the impressive cultural landscape, for example along the popular "Gemmrigheimer Steillagenrunde" (Gemmrigheim Steep Slope Trail), thus making it possible to experience the steep slopes.
Contact project sponsor:
Gemmrigheim municipality; head of the main office Bärbel Petters
Tel. 07143/972-21. Mail: b.petters@gemmrigheim.de
