Our Summer Event 2026: Team Spirit Among Vineyards, the Giant Wine Barrel, and the Graduation Tower
To give our colleagues from other regions a firsthand experience of what makes the Palatinate (Pfalz) so special, this year’s summer event took us to Bad Dürkheim.
We kicked things off with a vineyard hike under a blazing 35°C summer sun. Along the way, we gained fascinating insights into the region’s diverse soils and winemaking traditions. We also witnessed an impressive logistical achievement: just how many bottles of wine can fit into a cooler backpack. The conclusion? An apparently inexhaustible supply.
In the evening, the group gathered at the iconic Giant Wine Barrel for dinner. Between regional specialties, Riesling Schorle, great conversations, and a fantastic atmosphere, the Palatinate showcased its most enjoyable side. The evening continued on the hotel’s summer terrace with live music – followed, for some, by unconfirmed but entirely plausible sightings in an Irish pub.
After breakfast, a guided tour around the Wurstmarkt grounds and the impressive Graduation Tower added a cultural highlight. At approximately 300 meters long and 16 meters high, this remarkable structure provides fascinating insight into the historic process of salt production: brine is trickled over walls of blackthorn branches and collected repeatedly, gradually increasing its salt concentration. Today, the Graduation Tower is primarily used for open-air inhalation therapy and serves health and wellness purposes.
Of course, there was also plenty of time for networking and getting to know new colleagues. Conversations about a wide variety of hobbies and collections led to plenty of surprises, new inspiration, and the discovery of shared interests.
Two days filled with collaboration, team spirit, regional culture, and memorable experiences. A big thank you to everyone who joined and helped make this event so special.
Zum Wohl die Pfalz