View through green vines onto sunny vineyards and a village in the plain, under a blue sky with clouds and bright sunshine.

Unique Holidays in the Black ForestThe Voluntourists of the Markgräflerland Grape Harvest

31.12.20255 min. read timeby Hirsch & Greif

Lend a hand at harvest time, experience a sense of community, and enjoy the Baden wine region’s warm hospitality: in late summer, young people such as Danny come from around the world to work together in the Markgräflerland region.

Pruning Shears Instead of a GuidebookVoluntourism at the Eco-Winery

The time for taking notes is over - Danny from Osnabrück now needs to get stuck in! He's swapped everyday life for adventure by volunteering at the wine start-up Makalié during their grape harvest in the Markgräflerland region. Having discovered the opportunity on wwoof.de, a platform that lists volunteering opportunities on organic farms, Danny’s surrounded by vineyards, sunshine, and new friendships. As he experiences the Baden way of life first-hand, Danny quickly discovers what a truly meaningful holiday feels like - and we get to follow every moment....Additional info:
wwoof.de/en connects volunteers with organic farms, offering free accommodation and meals in exchange for help, and no experience needed - beginners are always welcome!

Several people are harvesting grapes in a sunny vineyard, among green vines and with crates for the grapes on the ground.

Grape season in Markgräflerland

Experience the grape harvest as a volunteer: enjoy nature, get stuck in and make new friends.

Wine with Character - and HeartHow Low-Intervention Wines Are Made

Among the vines, with views stretching as far as the Vosges mountains, craftsmanship still matters. Machines? Not here. People set the pace, nature sets the rhythm. Max Frölich and Karoline Linka are committed to biodynamic viticulture: no chemicals, no shortcuts, just patience and respect. Their low-intervention wines flourish among the herbs and flowers that nurture the soil and provide a home for insects. Anyone who works alongside them quickly realises that this is not just about wine - it’s a mindset, an experience that lingers on after the last sip.

Two people harvest dark grapes from vines and place them in a yellow crate, surrounded by green foliage in a sunny vineyard.

Handicraft among the vines

Harvest grapes, protect biodiversity and experience authentic wine-growing culture.

Atmospheric Mornings in the Rhine ValleyA Hands-on Experience in Markgräflerland

We join Danny on his first day in the vineyard. The meeting point: Max and Karo’s house. Together with the other helpers, we drive in convoy to Ölberg, the vineyard where today’s harvest takes place. Fog still hangs over the Rhine Valley, creating a calm, almost magical atmosphere. Everyone grabs a plastic basket, and Max gives a quick briefing: “Unripe grapes stay on the vine - for later or for the birds - and any bad ones are carefully cut out. Today we’re picking Pinot Noir, with a few white surprises mixed in.” Danny is excited and eager, and so are we. It’s time to roll up our sleeves as our day in the vineyard begins.

Several people harvesting grapes in a green vineyard, between rows of vines with boxes for the grapes on the ground.

With Basket and Scissors

Harvest time at the Ölberg vineyards – pick Pinot Noir Grapes, experience nature, and become part of a wine tradition

Every Grape CountsThe Flow of the Grape Harvest

We stand among the vines as the sun slowly rises over the Rhine Valley. Next to Danny, Marie concentrates on cutting Pinot Noir grapes - snip, snip, the soundtrack of the day. She wants to become a winemaker and is doing her internship here. As the vine shears click, conversations spark - sometimes in German, sometimes in English - between the young people who have come here from all over the world. The work is meditative, there is a flow. But concentration is required - because every grape counts. Our jackets come off as the temperature rises, and our baskets, filled with around 10 kilos of grapes, mean our muscles feel the effort as we go up and down the slopes. After all the baskets have been emptied we head back down with feelings of happiness – and may be tomorrow, sore muscles. Looking out over the Vosges mountains, it’s clear: this is more than work - it’s a wine holiday with heart.

Person inspects freshly harvested dark grapes among green vines in a sunny vineyard with hills in the background.

Pinot Noir in the sunlight

Snip, snip – every cut brings the team closer to the wine.

Live like a LocalSustainable Holidays with a Purpose

So why was Danny participating? He wanted a meaningful holiday - one where he could do more than just observe, but actively contribute. Through wwoof.de/en, he discovered the wine start-up Makalié in Markgräflerland and found himself in the vineyard - surrounded by vines, sunshine, and young people from around the world. But as we worked and laughed together, Max and Karo knew the harvest was entering its most critical phase… Will the grapes be picked quickly enough? Will it be a good vintage? Will the yield be enough? We gained genuine insight into biodynamic viticulture and met two hosts who consistently pour their hearts and souls into every aspect of their work.

„We really celebrate the grape harvest season.“

Karoline Linka, Eco-Startup Makalié

Insider Tip: ‘Schellsch Halt Mol’ – Just Ring the Bell!

If you spot the sign ‘Schellsch halt mol’ on a private home in the Black Forest, you’re invited to ring the bell at any time, during the day, for them to answer questions and give insider tips. And who knows, it could even spark the beginning of a new friendship.

Two people stand among green vines in a sunny vineyard with hills and countryside in the background.

People are harvesting grapes in a sunny vineyard, among green vines and with crates for the grapes on the ground.

Close-up of a bunch of grapes being cut from the vine with scissors, yellow harvest basket in the background.

Two people carry blue and green crates full of harvested grapes through a sunny vineyard with green vines and hills in the background.

Person loading a blue crate full of freshly harvested dark grapes into a van, with vineyards and hills under a blue sky in the background.

Panoramic view over vineyards and a village in sunlight, behind them wide fields and hills under a blue sky with clouds.

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Lunch in the Vineyard Dining in the Open Air: Regional, Relaxed, Authentic

Around noon, everyone comes together to eat along a long table set among the vines, surrounded by sunshine and beautiful views. There is fresh bread, cheese, and salad: simple, regional cuisine, lovingly prepared. And of course there’s time to take a breath, chat, or simply marvel at the surroundings. "Taking time to eat is simply part of life in Baden," says Karo, who prepares the meals, together with Max, as a thank you to the helpers. And yes, later there will be homemade cake - which more than makes up for the sore muscles.

Group of people taking a break on a natural stone wall at the edge of a vineyard, surrounded by green vegetation and a hiking trail.

Culinary Delight with a view

Take a break, breathe deeply and celebrate the moment.

Wine Tasting in the VineyardEnding the Day with a Pinot Noir and a View

The first day in the vineyard ends around 5 pm and as the last full baskets are loaded, our reward awaits us: a small tasting of Max's own Pinot Noir. We set ourselves down on the warm natural stone steps as the sun bathes the vines in golden light. Tired? Yes. Happy? Absolutely.Between sips and smiles, we chat about the flavours of the wine, then it's a quick shower before meeting Max and Karo for dinner: homemade organic cheese spätzle with chanterelles is served up, followed by an Ofenschlupfer (traditional German bread pudding) with vanilla sauce.

Red wine is poured from a bottle into a glass, with a stone wall and more glasses in the background.

Harvest Completed

Wine tasting on warm stones with sunshine in your heart and aromas that tell stories.

Why Participating Is More Rewarding Than a Souvenir

The first day of the grape harvest was exhausting - but in the best possible way. Fresh air, hands-on work, and new encounters put us at the heart of everything, not just observing. Between the vines, the red wine, and the pleasantly sore muscles, we learned a great deal - and felt just how fulfilling it is to be part of something real.The warmth of Max and Karo’s hospitality, the shared moments with young people from around the world - these are experiences that stick. And perhaps so does the realisation that those who lend a hand take home something far more precious than photos and souvenirs. Ready to experience Baden-Württemberg on a deeper level? Join in, lend a hand, and discover how a holiday can truly connect people.

Discover the Makalié Winery

A person kneels in a vineyard and places freshly cut blue grapes into a purple crate, surrounded by green vines and protective nets, with more crates in the background.

Holidays with a purpose

Voluntourism combines work with fun and unforgettable experiences.

Volunteering in the Black ForestHow Voluntourism Works in Baden-Württemberg

What Does Voluntourism Mean?

Volunteer-tourism, or voluntourism, combines travel with purpose: it’s not just a holiday, you contribute whilst you're there - for example on eco-farms, in nature parks, or with small local businesses. In Baden-Württemberg, you can find opportunities via platforms such as wwoof.de. Normally volunteers live on site, receive free accommodation and meals, and get the chance to meet locals and experience country life up close. No prior knowledge is needed - just curiosity, openness, and a willingness to lend a hand. Why not turn your holiday into a real hands-on adventure.

How Much Will I Be Expected to Work Each Day?

Don't worry - you won't have to work the hours of a professional farmer, usually more like 4 to 6 hours a day, depending on the farm and the season. You won't get paid, but you'll have your accommodation and meals provided for you – along with lots of insights into real country life. Whether it's vine shears or potato crates: you'll learn a lot, experience even more, and be right in the thick of things, much more fun than watching from the side-lines! Important:
It's best to check with your hosts in advance what your daily schedule will look like – that way you'll know exactly what to expect.

Is Volunteering on Farms in Baden-Württemberg Suitable for Me?

It will be perfect for you if...

you want to learn in a practical way and are interested in agriculture, permaculture, horticulture, or ecology

you are physically fit and enjoy working outdoors and don’t mind simple living conditions

you are looking for authentic encounters and want to experience regional culture among the locals

you are curious about micro-adventures and like to step outside your comfort zone

In short:
If you’d rather get stuck in than watch, voluntourism on eco-farms in Baden-Württemberg is just the thing for you.

Can Families Also Participate?

Yes - a farm holiday with the whole family is absolutely possible! Some farms in Baden-Württemberg welcome volunteers with children or even entire families. The key requirement is that you check that the accommodation and tasks will suit your family’s needs. This should be done in advance to see how family-friendly a farm is and whether childcare options or activities for younger children are available. That way, voluntourism can become a true family adventure - filled with scents of stables, starry nights, and plenty of time in nature.

Are There Any Other Platforms That List Opportunities, Other Than wwoof.de/en?

Yes! If you’d prefer to get stuck in outdoors, find out more about the ‘Ehrensache Natur’ programme run by the Nationale Naturlandschaften and the Association of German Nature Parks. And the Southern Black Forest Nature Park also regularly offers action days for volunteers.In addition:
The Auerhuhn Schwarzwald association organises hands-on activities for the habitat conservation of capercaillies – a micro-adventure with added value. There are also great opportunities in other parts of Baden-Württemberg for those wanting to combine their holidays with social engagement.