Typical Rhineland-Palatinate: A Wine Cellar in the State Chancellery

The new Minister President of Rhineland-Palatinate, Gordon Schnieder, has stepped into the legendary wine cellar at the State Chancellery in Mainz, a space established by his predecessor Helmut Kohl in 1970. Schnieder, who had only known of the cellar's existence, gained access after the change of government earlier this spring. The cellar had been under Social Democratic Party (SPD) control since Minister President Rudolf Scharping's tenure began in 1985, remaining largely unseen by party members for decades.

Originally the building's coal cellar, it was transformed at Kohl's request into a unique venue for informal communication. The State Chancellery notes that Kohl found the formal cabinet meetings too rigid and used the cellar for evening wine gatherings to discuss state matters with his cabinet and guests. This space offered a distinct atmosphere compared to the offices and meeting rooms within the historic, protected building adjacent to the state parliament.

Designed by architect Horst Römer, the cellar incorporates original regional artifacts, such as barrel staves from Edenkoben and ceramics from Bad Ems, along with a sculpture titled 'Cheerful Helmsman.' The interior's wooden paneling and circular design evoke the appearance of a giant wine barrel. Despite its age, the cellar remains one of the few relatively cool spots in the historic New Armoury, especially during summer heatwaves. The space includes a large circular table and two smaller tables, with modifications made to allow easier exit from the main table, unlike its original design where occupants were quite enclosed.