Anna Zenz: The 77th wine queen triumphs over male competition!

Anna Zenz: The 77th wine queen triumphs over male competition!

The wine festival in Neustadt an der Weinstraße had a very special highlight on September 26, 2025: Anna Zenz, a 24-year-old business economist from Ediger-Eller in the Mosel wine-growing region, was crowned the 77th German Wine Queen. In this election, which attracted national interest, Zenz prevailed against three female competitors and the first male participant, Levin McKenzie from Rheinhessen. With his election, McKenzie would have made history as the first German wine king.

The atmosphere during the election was electric. Anna Zenz took the crown to the cheers of her supporters. Surprising many, she said that she had not prepared a victory celebration, which underlined her modesty. In addition to Zenz, Emma Meinhardt (25) from Saale-Unstrut and Katja Simon (25) from Hessische Bergstrasse were also elected wine princesses. Together, the trio will represent around 15,000 winemakers for a year.

Tradition and responsibility

The election of German Wine Queen has a long tradition. The Wine Queens have represented the German wine industry since 1949 and are called upon to bring Germany's diverse wine regions closer to the general public. The election usually takes place in the Neustadter Saalbau during the German Vintage Festival, where juried candidates have to answer questions from the expert jury and the public. This year was no exception for Anna Zenz and her fellow competitors. In the final, they had to identify types of wine in a blind tasting and prove themselves in wine-related games.

The pressure was great, and the strict election criteria ensured that only the best candidates came into the spotlight. In order to take part in the election, the 77th German Wine Queen must demonstrate a strong connection to German wines and be at least 18 years old. In addition, it is only since 2000 that it is no longer necessary to come from a winemaking family or to be single, which diversified participation in the election.

A new appearance for the wine queen

The change in image of the wine queen has brought about many changes in recent decades. The obligatory dirndl for photo shoots was abolished in 1981, and good looks and dancing skills are no longer at the forefront of the requirements. Instead, the focus today is on the personal connection to wine and the ability to act as an ambassador for German wine.

Anna Zenz now has numerous appointments waiting for her, including abroad. Their first official appointment will be on October 3rd in The Hague on German Unity Day. Even though she hasn't prepared for a big celebration, the newly crowned wine queen is happy to represent the winemakers and bring the diversity of German wines to the fore.

The election of Levin McKenzie shows how the German Wine Queen is writing history. This could be another sign that wine culture in Germany is on the move and is looking for new perspectives to reach a wider audience. Zenz's term in office will certainly shed light on many exciting aspects of the German wine world and bring a breath of fresh air.

A lot is being risked for the future of the German wine queen. With Anna Zenz at the helm, the wine industry can look forward to exciting times.

For further information on the election of the German Wine Queen, you can read the reports from Radio Wuppertal, Wikipedia and de.m.wikipedia read up.