Sunday, March 9, 2025

Wuerttemberg: The Top Winemakers - Vinum Weinguide Deutschland 2025

The Vinum Weinguide Deutschland 2025 was released recently, presenting Vinum's choice of Germany’s best 1,000 wine producers and reviewing more than 10,500 wines on 1,080 pages.

5 out of 5 stars („world class“) was awarded to 26 estates. In addition, there are 36 estates with 4.5 stars, and 77 estates with 4 stars.

Top Winemaker in Wuerttemberg

In Wuerttemberg, there is 1 producer with 5 stars, 1 producer with 4.5 stars and there are 3 producers with 4 stars in the Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland/ Germany 2025.

Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours, and I have 3 of these 5 producers at various occasions over the past years, often at their estate during a Germany wine tour by ombiasy WineTours, which is owned and run by Annette Schiller and based in Washington DC, USA.

Württemberg

(London Wine Competition)

Located in southwestern Germany, Württemberg is officially part of the federal state of Baden-Württemberg. However, in terms of wine classification, Baden and Württemberg are considered to be two separate and distinct wine regions. Württemberg is the fourth-largest of Germany’s 13 wine regions.

The real distinguishing point about Württemberg is that it is primarily known for its red, not white, wines. In fact, red wines account for 71% of all wine production in this German wine region. Interestingly, these red wines do not include the most popular red varietals grown throughout Europe, either.

For example, by far the most popular red grape varietal is Trollinger, accounting for 21.2% of all wine production. These grapes produce a light red, slightly sweet wine that is uncommon even for Germany. In fact, 98% of all Trollinger grape production takes place within Württemberg. Other popular grape varietals grown in this region include Schwarzriesling (15.1%), Lemberger (13.9%) and Spatburgunder (11.1%). As might be expected, Riesling production is also important in this region, accounting for 18.1% of all wine production.

Another distinguishing feature of Württemberg wine production is that many of the most popular wines are made by winemaking cooperatives. There are nearly 70 cooperatives, accounting for nearly 75% of all production. The most popular and famous vineyards are located along the Neckar River and its four tributaries. There are many vineyards located near Stuttgart, and also near Lake Constance.

As in other parts of Germany, steep terraced vineyards are the norm along river banks of the Neckar. One of the most famous vineyards is Cannstatter Zuckerle, located near Stuttgart, which boasts some impressive steep terraced vineyards.

Visiting Producers

Gerhard Aldinger - 5/5 Stars

Pictures: Gert Aldinger, Weingut Aldinger, Karl Eugen Erbgraf zu Neipperg, Weingut Des Grafen Neipperg and Annette Schiller See: 2017 VDP Trade Fair Weinbörse - Vintage 2016 - in Mainz: Schiller’s Report

Pictures: Hansjörg and Matthias Aldinger with Christian Schiller. See: Germany’s Best Winemakers and Wines – Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2018 Awards: The Award Ceremony in Mainz, Germany

Picture: Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Aldinger in Fellbach (Stuttgart), with Matthias Aldinger - Germany-East Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture, History - Berlin, Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen, Württemberg, Franken

Schnaitmann - 4.5/5 Stars

Pictures: Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Schnaitmann (VDP) in Fellbach, Württemberg, with Rainer Schnaitmann – Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2023), Germany

Pictures: At Weingut Rainer Schnaitmann with Rainer Schnaitmann. See: Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting with Rainer Schnaitmann at Weingut Rainer Schnaitmann in Fellbach, Württemberg – Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), Germany

Pictures: Chef's Table Winemaker Dinner at Zur Golden Kron in Frankfurt, Germany, with Michelin-starred Chef Alfred Friedrich, Frankfurt Cult Sommelier Pit Punda and World Class Winemaker Rainer Schnaitmann from Württemberg

Neipperg - 4/5 Stars