The wine region is located in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany. The vineyards cover 23,554 hectares, making it the second largest wine region in Germany after Rheinhessen. Until 1995, it was called Rheinpfalz (Rhenish Palatinate), the current name (Latin: Palatium = palace) derives from the Counts Palatine of the Holy Roman Empire who resided in the city of Heidelberg from the 13th to the mid-18th century.

The climatic conditions for viticulture are almost ideal. There are dry and not too hot summers and mild winters. With about 1,800 hours of sunshine per year, the Palatinate is one of the warmest German wine regions, with an almost Mediterranean climate.

Viticulture is practiced in 144 localities of the Palatinate, mainly in the Southern Palatinate and the Vorderpfalz, on the western edge of the plain between the Rhine and the Pfälzerwald. Originally, the wine region was divided into three parts, from south to north: Oberhaardt, Mittelhaardt, and Unterhaardt.