Bettingen, Riehen and Viticulture in Canton Basel-Stadt
6 September 2025
The canton of Basel-Stadt consists of three municipalities: Basel, Riehen, and Bettingen. Riehen and Bettingen are located on the right bank of the Rhine, surrounded by Germany. Riehen was already inhabited before the Roman occupation by the Celts. The Alemanni settled in the region after the Romans’ departure in the 5th century.
Reconstruction of a Roman farmhouse on the highest point of the Maienbühl. Model: Gemeinde Riehen
The name Riehen first appears in a document in 1113. The bishop of Basel and St. Gall, as well as the monasteries of St. Blasien and Wettingen, owned estates in the area and the village.
St. Martin Church, 11th century
The city of Basel acquired these estates by purchase in 1522 and 1540. Riehen was governed by a bailiff (Landvogt) and was part of a so-called Untertanengebiet. Riehen became a Protestant municipality in 1528. More and more (wealthy) citizens of Basel bought estates.
The new and the old Wettsteinhaus and Museum
After the French revolutionary troops invaded the village in 1798, it was granted the same rights as those of Basel. The (French) Mediation Act of 1803 assigned Riehen to the district of Liestal. In 1833, Riehen was transferred to the canton of Basel-City (Basel-Stadt) and became a municipality.
Riehen was a border town for refugees in the Second World War. The Eiserne Hand was a stroke of fate that crossed Swiss territory, encompassing hope, life, disillusionment, and death.
The Fondation Beyeler is one of the village’s main attractions. (See also the villa Wenkenhof.)
Bettingen shares, to some extent, the same history. The canton’s only mountain and its Chrischona complex are another story.
Bettingen
St. Chrischona
Source and further information: Gemeinde Bettingen; Gemeinde Riehen
The Viticulture in the Canton of Basel-Stadt
Viticulture in the Canton of Basel-Stadt has a tradition of over 1200 years. The first reference to viticulture appeared in 751. Viticulture experienced its heyday in the two hundred years between the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648) and the mid-19th century.
The vineyards were located around Riehen and Bettingen. The vineyard area, spanning approximately 70 hectares, produced half a million litres of wine in its heyday. However, this period was followed by a critical phase, which significantly reduced viticulture, and in Bettingen it disappeared completely. Today, viticulture remains a presence in Riehen. Two vineyards are located at ‘am Schlipf‘ on the Tüllinger Berg.
That is to say, on the territory of the canton. German vineyards stretch over kilometres. The four kilometer long Weiler Weinweg, the Tüllinger Weinweg of the Riehener Weinweg show the way in and around canton Basel-Stadt.
Vineyards in the canton of Basel-Stadt.
Two wineries currently cultivate the vineyards at the foot of the Tüllinger Berg ‘am Schlipf‘ around Riehen: Weingut Riehen (around 3.4 hectares) and Wyguet Rinklin (around 3.5 hectares).
As early as the 19th century, Weingut Riehen was recognised for its significant contribution to the local economy and its quality of wines. During this time, some historical buildings were constructed on the vineyards, which have been preserved to this day, along with the quality of the wines. In addition to some typical varieties, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay are produced here. The Weingut Riehen is located in the village of Riehen near the Sarasin Park.
The second private winery is the “Wyguet Rinklin”. Their range includes various white, rosé, and red wines, as well as sparkling wine and spirits.
One of the smallest cantons in the country was once a significant producer of wine. Although the quantity sharply declined, the quality remains unquestionable. Autumn is the perfect time to explore the wine region of Canton Basel-Stadt, and a visit to Riehen, one of the only three municipalities in the canton.
Impressions from Riehen
Sarasinpark
