How is climate change affecting our landscapes, vineyards, and gardens? How can food be produced safely and sustainably? What will tomorrow’s beverages look like? And how does scientific research lead to practical solutions?
Visitors will find answers to these and many other questions at Open Campus 2025 through more than 100 exhibitions, guided tours, tastings, talks, and hands-on activities. Live and in person, right here on campus, the event offers fascinating insight into Geisenheim’s practice-based teaching and future-focused research at the intersection of nature, technology, and society.
A Changing Campus: New Buildings, New Possibilities
Hochschule Geisenheim University is not just evolving thanks to its expanding academic programs and innovative research projects: it has also undergone a significant physical transformation in recent years. Our Open Campus offers a unique opportunity to explore several newly constructed buildings that are raising teaching and research to a new level:
- Two pioneering facilities were launched in December 2023, the Food Safety Building and the Logistics and Sustainability Building
- The modern Lecture Hall Building was completed in December 2024 and is fully equipped with cutting-edge presentation technology and flexible room layouts.
- The Beverage Technology Center, the only one of its kind in Germany, officially opened in May this year, marking a new milestone for research, development, and education in beverage technology.
- Coming soon: The ‘VITA’ Research Center, focused on climate-adapted and sustainable plant protection and cultivation strategies in viticulture, is currently under construction and scheduled for completion by the end of 2026.
Guided tours of these new facilities during Open Campus will provide a rare opportunity to experience state-of-the-art university infrastructure firsthand.
Study Info Days: Your Future at Hochschule Geisenheim
For anyone interested in studying at our university, the Open Campus offers an excellent opportunity to explore all our degree programs in:
- Horticulture
- Beverage Technology
- International Wine Business
- Landscape Architecture
- Food Safety
- Food Logistics and Management
- Viticulture and Enology
Whether you attend sample lectures, take part in individual advising sessions, tour the labs, or chat with current students and alumni, this is your chance to explore your options and potential career paths in a personal and engaging setting. And if you're wondering where to find the best coffee on campus, we've got tips for that too!
Rebsortentage 2025: Innovation in Viticulture
A special highlight of the Open Campus is the long-standing tradition of the Geisenheim Grape Variety Days (Rebsortentage). On both Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., the Department of Plant Breeding will open its experimental vineyards at Eibinger Weg 1 to professionals and those interested in vine propagation and viticulture.
Key topics include:
- New fungi-resistant (PIWI) grape crossings – including red PIWIs and teinturier varieties
- New rootstocks in practical trials
- Expert-led vineyard tours
- Tastings of over 30 innovative and traditional wines
- Lectures on modern breeding and analytical methods
- Microscopic insights into the life of the grape phylloxera
- Demonstrations of tissue culture and genome analysis in vines
Note: Participating in the tastings costs €5 plus a €5 deposit for the glass. Groups of 10 or more are asked to register in advance (Phone: +49 (0)6722-502-121, Email: rebenzuechtung@hs-gm.de).
Fun for the Whole Family: Science Meets Entertainment
Throughout the campus, a colorful program awaits visitors of all ages, featuring science talks on the live stage, a kids’ area, vendor booths, the university winery, street food, live music, and much more. Young guests can enjoy creative hands-on activities, science games, and exciting discoveries in the world of plants and food.
On Sunday at 12:00 p.m., the Wiesbaden Galli Theater will perform a humorous play on the campus lawn in front of the main building, which tells the story of the famous “Spätlesereiter” (late harvest rider) in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the discovery of the Spätlese. The performance is supported by the VEG – Geisenheim Alumni Association e.V. and Vicosmo GmbH.
Exclusive Offers for Alumni: Reconnect, Network, Discover
Alumni are invited to rediscover their university! Highlights include an exclusive alumni reception in the VEG tent, a guided campus tour of new buildings and labs, a photo booth in the university cellar, the Alumni Podcast, and the chance to bring your own wine (and its story) to contribute to the university’s collection.
SAVE THE DATE
Open Campus 2025 – Hochschule Geisenheim University
Location: Hochschule Geisenheim, 65366 Geisenheim
Date: Saturday, August 30 & Sunday, August 31, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. each day
Admission free, no registration required for individual visitors
More details are available here.
The event is being supported by the team from the LLH Horticultural Center in Geisenheim, who will be on hand with information and guidance.
We look forward to seeing you there!
