Note: An article from mainzMAGAZIN (opens in a new tab) Fall/Winter 2021

Some people may ask themselves this question when they enter the cozy wine bar in Mainz's Neustadt district. Located directly on Rheinallee, the hustle and bustle of the street is forgotten when the Onkel Oskar team warmly welcomes its guests in the cozy interior of the listed building or on the lovingly designed terrace.

The small, exquisite menu has a Mediterranean feel and will delight vegetarians, vegans, and meat-eaters alike: small delicacies such as homemade dips, olives, cheese, and ham, focaccia—Italian flatbread—with various toppings, and seasonal dishes are the ideal accompaniments to the star of the bar—the wine! The wine selection is naturally very regional, with around 100 wines to choose from, many of them from Rheinhessen or neighboring wine regions, supplemented by a few international wines. Enjoyment guaranteed! The house also provides a dose of wine knowledge, as the Onkel Oskar team is very knowledgeable and always has the right tip for every taste.

But who is Uncle Oskar? Sven Hillenbrand-Weisheit, who runs the wine bar together with Lisa Triller, reveals the story behind the name: "We named the bar after my wife's very lovable uncle, who used to live here in this house." What made him so remarkable? Oskar liked to wear women's clothes, even during the Nazi era. "He had to hide this inclination." Pictures on the wall remind us of Uncle Oskar.

By the way: the owners also have something to offer those who prefer to enjoy a good glass of wine accompanied by Mediterranean snacks in the old town: the new Dagobert wine bar with its inviting outdoor terrace. The name refers to the street where the bar is located. What makes it special is its focus on natural wines. Unfiltered and without sulfur, they are very much in vogue.