24.04.2026
Kaiserstuhl Field Trip: “Lava, Loess, and Wine”
As part of a field trip for BSc Earth Sciences students in their 4th semester and beyond, participants traveled to the Kaiserstuhl region, where they were able to experience geology, landscape, and viticulture in a unique way.
A highlight of the program was a visit to the Hauri quarry, featuring an engaging guided tour by Simon Spürgi, who himself studied geology in Freiburg. On site, the students gained fascinating insights into the volcanic geology of the Kaiserstuhl as well as into modern quarrying operations.
In addition, topics such as land consolidation, the Kaiserstuhl’s carbonatite, and the Badberg spring were on the agenda. The various stops impressively illustrated the geological diversity and the region’s unique landscape history. The excursion also received very warm support from Simon Weiß of the Weiß Winery. With great enthusiasm, he explained how volcanic rocks and loess soils are reflected in the wine’s sensory profile and what influence geology has on the character of the wines.
Another highlight was the conclusion of the event amidst the vineyards: with a glass of wine in hand, the participants strolled through the vines while Dr. Mathias Vinnepand (Group of Sedimentology at UFR) shared fascinating insights into the formation of loess and its significance for the landscape and viticulture.
The field trip combined scientific content with regional culture and offered students numerous new perspectives on the interplay between geology, soils, and viticulture. A heartfelt thank you goes to Family Hauri, Simon Spürgi, Simon Weiß, and Dr. Mathias Vinnepand for their dedicated guidance and the many fascinating insights.
