The grape is not yet heavy on the vine, but wine festival season is already gearing up. While the hundreds of celebrations of the grape dotting Germany’s late-summer and autumn event calendars have much in common with one another, each has its own unique selling points. Here are just a few of Germany’s upcoming celebrations of vineyard harvests:

Stuttgart Mühlhausen: Stuttgarter Steillagentage Weinfest

Dates: Aug. 3-4

A fest right where the grapes grow: In contrast to downtown locations, this lesser-known wine fest takes place in the steep slopes overlooking the Neckar River. Here, winemakers from the subregion of Cannstatter Zuckerle present their wines at tasting stands scattered throughout the vineyards. Other activities visitors can take part in include tractor rides and themed vineyard hikes. Tasty regional treats and live entertainment round out the program. The area is easily reached by means of Stuttgart’s U-Bahn system; take the U12 or U14 to the Auwiesen stop and it’s a five-minute walk from there. Online: weinbauern-muehlhausen.com

Wiesbaden: Rheingauer Weinwoche

Dates: Aug. 9-18

A partner city presents its wines: Wiesbaden’s inner-city wine festival is an elegant 10-day celebration of the Rheingau region’s famed Rieslings and other mostly white grape varieties, with more than 1,000 different wines both still and sparkling to be sampled and enjoyed. When the palate yearns for something yet untried, it’s time to make way to the stands of Wiesbaden’s twin city, San Sebastián. This city in the Basque Country on the northern coast of Spain is famed for its culinary traditions, particularly its tapas known locally as pintxos. Two bodegas of the region will be presenting their wines in Wiesbaden, to include powerful red wines made from Tempranillo grapes and a fresh, dry and light wine with a relatively low alcohol content known as Txakoli. Online: tinyurl.com/vjczdj9v

Worms: Wormser Backfischfest

Date: Aug. 24-Sept. 1

Battles on the river: Just as much a volksfest as a wine fest, this party by the banks of the Rhine offers carnival rides, games of chance, typical fest foods, a party tent and wine-tasting opportunities at almost every turn. A highlight comes on the fest’s last Sunday, when the fearless river jousters head out onto the Rhine River in their wooden boats and take turns trying to push one another into the swift water with long poles fitted with rounded pads. Fischerstechen, or river jousting, is scheduled to take place from 2:30 p.m.-5:50 p.m. Sept. 1. Online: backfischfest.de

Bernkastel-Kues: Weinfest der Mittelmosel

Dates: Aug. 29-Sept. 2

A night for wearing traditional clothes: It’s nearly impossible to imagine a more picturesque backdrop for a wine fest that this city of half-timbered buildings, many so old and settled they stand at odd angles. This festival by the Mosel River offers many highlights, from markets to a parade to a “wine mile” with hundreds of tasting opportunities. Another endearing aspect of this market comes on its opening night, always a Thursday. Local residents and visitors celebrate the launch of yet another wine fest by dressing up in the traditional clothing of their forebears: dresses with aprons and scarves for the ladies and blue shirts with red scarves for the men. Online: tinyurl.com/4th3csh8

Mainz: Mainzer Weinmarkt

Dates: Aug. 29-Sept. 1 and Sept. 5-8

Wine pass makes sampling simple: In contrast to the Wiesbaden wine fest’s prominent downtown location, Mainz keeps its wine festival well hidden in its City Park, in which mature trees offer welcome shade on sweltering days. A fun way to discover the wines of the Rheinhessen wine-growing region is through the purchase of the so-called “Schlenderweinprobe,” a pass that allows for the sampling of a single wine from nine different stands scattered throughout the leafy park. Online: mainzer-weinmarkt.de/schlenderweinprobe

Bingen am Rhein: Binger Winzerfest

Dates: Aug. 30-Sept. 9

Fireworks set to music: This wine festival, which stretches over 11 days, has more than just staying power. The pretty town at the confluence of the Nahe and Rhine is known for its fest program with live music, midway with carnival rides, wine tasting of the community’s red wines accompanied by tasting menus, and a parade, which is always held on the fest’s second Sunday. Fireworks will be shot off against the backdrop of the Klopp Castle to the accompaniment of music; catch the spectacle at 9:30 p.m. Aug. 31. Online: dein-bingen.de/info/aktuelles/winzerfest

Bad Sobernheim: Weinwanderweges Mittlere Nahe

Date: Sept. 21

A fest that stretches eight miles long: The Nahe River valley is prime hiking territory most months of the year, but it’s an exceptionally great place to be on a Sunday in late September, when the “Middle Nahe Wine Trail” leads visitors through the vineyards along a path stretching between the village of Martinstein and the city of Bad Sobernheim. Some 13 stands along the way ensure that no visitor leaves hungry or thirsty. The path can be walked in either direction, and with both towns on the same train line, it’s easy to return to one’s starting point. Online: weinwanderwegfest.de

Landau: Fest des Federweißen

Dates: Oct. 17-20

A celebration of the new wine: In contrast to other wine fests, the beverage of choice here is not a gem from the winemaker’s cellar but rather the fresh and fizzy Federweißen, made of the newly-harvested grapes. For four days, the action in and around the Town Hall is fueled in large part by special dishes of the Palatinate region, to include Flammkuchen, onion tarts, steamed dumplings and dishes featuring locally harvested chestnuts. Online: tinyurl.com/ystycpc8