When conversations began about a potential partnership between STRAUSS and the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, an exciting idea emerged: bringing a taste of Paso Robles to Germany. Once the partnership was confirmed that idea came to life as the Alea Fornia Weinfest.

In early 2025, STRAUSS representatives traveled to Paso Robles to explore wines from a selection of producers that had stood out during the 2024 Paso Wine S’Cool. Their goal was to identify eight wineries to showcase at the inaugural festival in Bad Orb, Germany—the hometown of STRAUSS CEO Henning Strauss and the company’s headquarters.

Henning has long held an appreciation for Paso Robles wines, first sparked by a tasting experience in the U.S. That passion was cemented during a visit in April 2025, when the final selections for the festival were made.

From June 13–15, the Alea Fornia Weinfest brought Paso Robles to Bad Orb’s idyllic community park—a fitting location in a town known for its spa heritage and scenic charm. The participating wineries included Cass Winery, Eberle Winery, Giornata, Hope Family Wines, L’Aventure, Lone Madrone, Steinbeck Vineyards & Winery, and The Royal Nonesuch Farm. Each winery sent representatives to pour wines and serve as ambassadors of Paso Robles.

The weekend kicked off with a VIP reception on Friday evening, welcoming Paso Robles wineries and honored guests from the Strauss family. Saturday’s festival ran from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m., followed by Sunday’s session from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. Crowds flowed steadily throughout the weekend, with an estimated 3,000 attendees taking in the Paso Robles wine experience.

STRAUSS delivered an unforgettable event, complete with food booths serving wood-fired pizzas, open-flame tri-tip, and other hearty fare that paired beautifully with the wines. The soundtrack was equally fitting, with German country artists performing original songs and covers that gave the weekend a distinctly Paso Robles vibe.

The debut of the Alea Fornia Weinfest was a resounding success—bringing a piece of Paso Robles to Germany and planting the seeds for future collaborations with STRAUSS.