Since the reunification of Germany, Saale, located southwest of Leipzig, under the existing West German regulations. It lies further north than the Ahr valley region, and as a result is considerably cooler.
One of the region's main producers is the 299 acre Staatsweingut Naumburg, orginaly established by Cistercians. Today it is owned by the State of Sachsen-Anhalt. Another cooperative cellar, the Winzervereinigung Freyburg/Unstrut, is located in Freyburg.
Although the surrounding area is quite industrial, the scenery is just as picturesque as any other region in Germany. Houses built between the 18th and 19th centuries are interspersed. Several impressive castles dot the landscape, as well as the Cistercian monastery of Kloster Pforta.
Schloss Neuenburg, Freyburg
In the last narrow section of the Unstrut Valley is the town of Freyburg, a Sekt-producing center. Near the town stands Schloss Neuenburg, originally Romanesque but much altered in later centuries. In the courtyard of the castle is a Late Romanesque double chapel (c. 1220; capitals with plant and animal ornament).
The castle keep houses a museum.
Elster Valley
