Mosel Wine Region in May

May through October gives you the best weather, but timing matters for what you want to see. Late September and early October bring harvest season — the hillsides buzz with activity as pickers work the steep slopes. Wineries open their doors for Federweißer, the cloudy young wine that's barely fermented. June and July offer the longest days and warmest weather for hiking the vineyard trails. But expect crowds in Bernkastel and Cochem. Hotel prices peak in summer. Late spring works beautifully. May brings the vines into leaf, and you'll have the trails mostly to yourself. Restaurant terraces reopen, and winemakers have time to chat during tastings. Winter has its charm if you don't mind bare vines and shorter days. Christmas markets pop up in the larger towns, and cozy wine taverns (Straußwirtschaften) offer a local alternative to tourist restaurants. Just check opening hours — many wineries close for vacation in January and February.