Sounds like you might end up on the Rhine as well, but your ancestors are from the Mosel River (a Rhine tributary.) Cochem and most Mosel River towns are happy to help you with tasting experiences - wine tasting, that is. I've spent a lot of nights in Cochem over the years as it's a great base town for train travelers - but I've used a car there as well, and that's doable too. And yes, it's doable by yourselves, with a little help from the tourist office and other sources, perhaps.
This report came from some folks who left Luxembourg for the Mosel and stayed at an in-town winery in Cochem. It should provide you a good sense of what you might undertake yourselves in and around town. Not mentioned are Cochem's dramatic chairlift ride - which takes you to a precipitous lookout over town and valley - and the Bundesbankbunker attraction.
A "Planwagenfahrt" is a nice way for a group to get out into the vineyards for a few hours - and a nice way for winemakers to make a few extra Euros. This covered-wagon ride usually includes lunch with local ag products - and wine - and it's usually in German, but I imagine the tourist office could help you put something together in English with a local vintner. The TI office has its own covered-wagon + cruise program combo for German speakers:
https://www.cochem.de/tourismus/schiffs-und-planwagenfahrt
(Contact the TI using the email address at the bottom of the page above if interested in their services.)
It's unclear how much time you have in the region but yes, the Rhine is a great place as well.
For accommodations, I'd suggest looking into apartments. You will find these literally everywhere you look in the Rhine/Mosel towns. That said, what matters now is what's available to you in just a few short weeks. The Cochem TI office might be helpful if you cannot find what you need at the usual hotel/apartment booking engines.
Beer is of course available in both the Rhine and Mosel valleys, despite their wine focus.
