Sachsen is Germany’s easternmost wine-growing region, with a recorded viticultural history dating from 1161. Most of the vineyards are between Dresden and Diesbar-Seusslitz, the northern end of the Saxon Wine Road. A few vineyards are being restored on the southern outskirts of Dresden and further south, in Pillnitz and Pirna. Many of the small vineyards are planted on steep, labour-intensive stone terraces. The proximity of the Elbe River helps temper the climate, but given this northerly location and growing conditions similar to those of Saale-Unstrut, it is not surprising that the early-ripening Müller-Thurgau predominates. The winegrowers in Sachsen are proud of their speciality Gewürztraminer.