The production area is largely located in the Land of Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany, with a small area in North Rhine-Westphalia. The vineyards cover 470 hectares of vineyards, which extend from the community of Oberdollendorf near Königswinter opposite Bonn to the north of Bingen, partly on both banks of the Rhine's eponymous middle course. The town of Koblenz lies at the heart of the beautiful river landscape. The Romans founded winegrowing here after the founding of the cities of Cologne (Colonia) and Bonn (Bonna). There was a heyday in the Middle Ages under the leadership of the Cistercians, who built the monastery Heisterbach above Oberdollendorf, which today only exists as a ruin. The town of Bacharach is an ancient wine trading centre.