Welcome to the Rheingau Crime Evenings!
If you’ve ever thought “I love wine, but wouldn’t it be great if I could mix that with a bit of murder in the air?” – well, haven’t we got an event for you! The Rheingau Crime Evenings are taking place in wineries, and let me tell you, they’re hotter than a stolen bottle of vintage pinot noir!
By Invitation Only – Don’t Miss Out!
If you’re looking to attend, do yourself a favor: set your alarms and practice your fastest click skills. Tickets sell out quicker than you can say, “Where’s my glass?” Ulrike Bachmann, member of the Eltville wine and cultural association, knows the score – and what’s the score? These crime evenings are celebrating their 10th year, complete with a tagline as enticing as a glass of Riesling: “The blood drips – the wine flows.” Now, that’s what I call a perfect pairing!
Meet the Cast of Characters
So, on November 20, 2024, our headliner was none other than Benjamin Cors, the writer who isn’t just a master of thrillers but also knows how to fill a room with laughter. Cors, who has graced our screens on the likes of ARD Tagesschau, wowed the audience at the splendid Schloss Vaux sparkling wine factory. Honestly, if you mix wine and crime, you’ve got the recipe for a riveting evening!
A Toast to Eltville’s Literary Pride
In the crowd was Barbara Lilje, Eltville’s representative, beaming with pride like a cat in a cream shop. She was delighted to welcome all and laid it on thick about how proud the city is of this event. And trust me, after a few glasses of bubbly, you’ll be proud too, if not slightly buzzed!
Introducing Our Artistic Director
Ulrich Bachmann, the organizer of these rattling nights, held the spotlight before the festivities began. And oh, what an evening it promised to be! With the lovely Claudia Schmid around as the city writer, inspiration flowed as abundantly as the wine. You could practically hear the ideas bubbling up like a fine prosecco!
Touch of Humor with a Dash of Suspense
Cors kicked things off with a game, engaging the audience faster than you can say ‘murder mystery.’ He regaled them with snippets from his thriller “Crow Days” – the perfect recipe for intrigue! And, hold onto your wine glasses – he even shared anecdotes about being a father with a young daughter. Who knew parenting could be so close to murder sometimes? I mean, that Christmas tree isn’t going to praise itself!
The Sweet Bubbles of Collaboration
And speaking of bubbles, let’s tip our hats to the Sparkling Wine Factory at Vaux Castle, led by the effervescent Christopher Graf. His approach to hospitality was as fizzy as the champagne itself! Graf and team offered top-tier products during the break while making sure everyone had a well-timed refill.
Conclusion: Come for the Wine, Stay for the Crime!
The Rheingau Crime Evenings are not just about sipping wine and talking about murder – they are an experience, a celebration of literature, friendship, and perhaps a little chaos. So grab that ticket next time, and don’t be late to spill some wine on the secrets held in every glass. Cheers to crime, culture, and culinary delights in the magnificent Rheingau!
Anyone who organizes an event such as the Rheingau Crime Evenings in Wineries will tell you that securing tickets is an urgent affair; as soon as advance ticket sales commence, they vanish in an instant. The passion behind this popular series is driven by Ulrike Bachmann, a dedicated board member of the Eltville Wine and Cultural Association, which curates an array of wine tastings and culturally rich wine-related events. Meanwhile, acclaimed writer Andreas Arz serves as the artistic director of these enthralling evenings. The clever motto “The blood drips – the wine flows” perfectly encapsulates the spirit of this successful initiative, celebrating its 10th anniversary with events hosted every Wednesday throughout November.
On November 20, 2024, esteemed writer Benjamin Cors graciously accepted an invitation to the illustrious Schloss Vaux sparkling wine factory. With a rich journalistic background reporting for venerable programs like ARD Tagesschau and Weltspiegel, he currently brings his talents to SWR in Mainz. A warm welcome marked the evening as Barbara Lilje, representing the city of Eltville, joined Ulrike Bachmann and Andreas Arz to greet an audience that filled the Belletage of Vaux Castle to capacity. Barbara Lilje proudly expressed the city’s excitement and pride in hosting such a cherished series of events, reinforcing Eltville’s reputation as a cultural hub.
On this occasion, the organizer Ulrike Bachmann proudly highlighted the current initiative while representing the Eltville town clerk. She is at the helm of the town clerk project, where local writer Claudia Schmid enjoyed a week of warm greetings and generous hospitality in Eltville. As part of the innovative city writer project, participating authors are encouraged to craft narratives centered around the unique experiences of the city, the scenic Rheingau region, and the rich themes of wine and pleasure. The artistic direction of this project is deftly handled by Fenna Williams.
Engaging his audience right from the start, Benjamin Cors launched into a playful question game, exploring where guests hailed from in the picturesque Rheingau region. This immediate connection paved the way for him to share insights about his daily writing life, revealing that portions of his new thriller “Crow Days” blossomed in the inspiring setting of Eltville. The audience was captivated by excerpts from his gripping thriller, entertaining anecdotes from his writing journey, and two humorous short stories that offered a lighthearted glimpse into the trials of fathers with young daughters and the quirky challenges of festive tree praise. Prior to Cors’s presentation, local bookseller Brigitte Lauer from the Eltville Bookstube had delightfully curated a book table filled with literary treasures.
The dedicated team at the Sparkling Wine Factory at Vaux Castle in Eltville operates under the cheerful direction of Christopher Graf. This affable host welcomed attendees with genuine warmth at the champagne stand located just past the entrance of the elegant venue, treating them to his finest sparkling wines during intermissions, all served with an emphasis on pleasure and moderation.
What inspired Benjamin Cors to merge the themes of wine and crime in his storytelling?
**Interview with Benjamin Cors at the Rheingau Crime Evenings**
**Interviewer:** Benjamin, welcome to the Rheingau Crime Evenings! It’s great to have you here at the Schloss Vaux sparkling wine factory. Tell us, what attracted you to this unique blend of wine and crime?
**Benjamin Cors:** Thank you! It’s fantastic to be here. I’ve always believed that storytelling is at the heart of every great gathering, and what better way to bring a story to life than over a glass of wine? The atmosphere is electric with anticipation for the tales we’ll share and the laughter that goes along. It’s the perfect pairing!
**Interviewer:** You mentioned stories! You opened the evening with a game and some excerpts from your thriller “Crow Days”. How important is audience engagement for you during these events?
**Benjamin Cors:** It’s crucial! Engaging the audience transforms a reading into an experience. People come not just for the wine but for the connection with the narrative. By involving them in the event, it creates a sense of community. Plus, sharing a laugh or a gasp makes the stories much more memorable!
**Interviewer:** Speaking of memorable, you shared some anecdotes about being a father. How do you balance personal life with your writing, especially when parenting feels like a mystery of its own?
**Benjamin Cors:** (laughs) It’s true—parenting can come with its own set of thrills and spills! Finding that balance between writing and family life isn’t easy. However, I draw inspiration from everyday experiences, turning them into humor or suspense in my stories. If I can make sense of the chaos at home, I can certainly write a thriller!
**Interviewer:** The event is celebrating its 10th anniversary! What do you think has contributed to its success over the years?
**Benjamin Cors:** Honestly, it’s the passion of organizers like Ulrike Bachmann and Andreas Arz. Their vision is clear, and they’ve created a welcoming environment that feels like an extended family. The motto “The blood drips – the wine flows” is a fantastic tagline, but it’s the community spirit and support for local talent that keep bringing people back, year after year.
**Interviewer:** And of course, we can’t forget the bubbly! How did you find the hospitality here at the Vaux Castle?
**Benjamin Cors:** Absolutely top-notch! Christopher Graf and his team have done a stellar job. The wine flows as smoothly as the conversations, creating a truly immersive experience. It complements the storytelling beautifully and sets the perfect stage for our evening.
**Interviewer:** what advice would you give to aspiring writers or those looking to explore the world of literary events like this one?
**Benjamin Cors:** I’d say take the plunge! Share your work, engage with others, and don’t be afraid to embrace the elements of humor and suspense in your writing. And always remember, having a great glass of wine in hand can certainly help spark creativity! Cheers to that!
**Interviewer:** Cheers to you, Benjamin! Thank you for sharing your insights with us today. We’re looking forward to more thrilling tales!
