Enjoy excellent wines and more at the winery that takes its name from one of the most famous vineyards in Germany
Taking over responsibility for a renowned winery at the age of 18 because of your fathers’ health issues is certainly nowhere near an easy task. Faced with the challenge, winemaker Ludwig Knoll quickly realized that he clearly had inherited his family’s passion for winemaking. And he not only continued the family tradition. Right from the start he was determined to bring his own ideas and innovations to the winery. Over thirty years later, a huge number of awards proofs these ideas and the continued dedication to create outstanding wines have paid off. You can truly call Weingut am Stein one of the leading German wineries.
About Weingut am Stein
Located in midst of one of Germany’s most prestigious vineyards, the winery takes its name from the beautiful spot it calls home: the renowned Würzburger Stein.
Though Weingut am Stein owns only a small part of Würzburger Stein (the majority belongs to Franconia’s three historic wineries Juliusspital, Bürgerspital, and Staatlicher Hofkeller, the winery calls several other quality vineyards (or rather portions of these appellations) their own. This includes Stettener Stein, Würzburger Innere Leiste (considered one of the best vineyards in Franconia, located just south of the stunning Marienberg Fortress), and Randersacker Sonnenstuhl.
In the vineyards, work is carried out in harmony with nature. Already since 2007, Weingut am Stein follows a strictly biodynamic, sustainable, and responsible work process. Most of the wines are fermented spontaneously, lie longer on the mash, and some are bottled unfiltered. Maturing takes part either in stainless steel, wooden barrels and partly even in amphoras.
Weingut am Stein Wine Portfolio
Frankonia wine region is white wine territory. Thus unsurprisingly, around 30% of the winery’s vineyards are planted with Silvaner grapes, the flagship grape of Franconia. Other grape varieties at Weingut am Stein include Müller-Thurgau, Riesling, Scheurebe, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris, along with a small percentage of Pinot Noir.
Being a VDP member – the German wine association an association of around 200 German wine producers, whose members produce their wines according to stricter requirements than the German Wine Act stipulates – Weingut am Stein wines are made according to the typical VDP classification, including VDP Gutswein, Ortswein, Erste Lage and Große Lage.
Leaning on white, Weingut am Stein makes different Silvaner, Riesling, Scheurebe, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris within each of the different categories, and a small quantity of Pinot Noir.
Meanwhile, the winery’s top category ‘Individualisten’, literally meaning individualists, is certainly worth focusing on.
Both the Vinz Silvaner and Vinz Scheurebe made from old vines from some of the best vineyard locations are excellent. Grapes for both wines are carefully selected and hand-picked, and the wines are very versatile with food and offer excellent aging potential.
Following a similar pattern are the Montonia pinot blanc and pinot noir, with grapes carefully selected and hand-picked. The wines are characterized by subtle fruit, complex spice and soft tannins.
A recent addition to the Montonia range is the Montonia Rosé Fumé, the only rosé made at the winery. Again, very food friendly, Montonia Rosé displays a complex fragrance with subtle hints of rosehip, fine herbal notes, and a distinctive refreshing acidity.
Then, of course, there are the sparkling wines. Weingut am Stein Winzersekt is made according to the traditional champagne method, with second fermentation in the bottle.
Made from Silvaner and the classic Pinot Gris which are harvested specifically for the Winzersekt, particular care is given to the base wine to assure power, fullness and a subtle fruity acidity of the final product.
With innovation in the winery’s DNA, there is perhaps no surprise Weingut am Stein is into some of the more unusual segments. Pet Nat wines, short for pétillant naturel, that stands for sparkling wines made according to the methode ancestral, which means the wine is bottled while still undergoing its first round of fermentation.
The two Pure & Naked Pet Nat wines from Weingut am Stein are a highlight not just thanks to the fun packaging of the bottles.
The ‘classic’ Pet Nat made with Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Blanc grapes displays intense aromas of mango, passion fruit, tangerine blossom, and citrus. On the palate, a lively and naturally crisp acid structure, with aromas of salty lemon and yellow stone fruit.
Meanwhile, the rosé variation from Merlot and Cabernet Mitos grapes offers hints of pyrazine, cherry groats, hibiscus, rosehip tea, mallow blossom, and blood orange and displays a crisp acidity
Visiting Weingut am Stein: More than just wine
Undoubtedly, the main reason of a winery visit is the wine. Unless the wine is only one of many reasons.
Putting the wine first, there is the historic wine cellar build in 1980 and the lovely, stone-clad building surrounded by lush green vineyards perfectly fits the traditional picture. But what will draw the visitors’ attention already from far away are the truly amazing modern ‘cubes’. Build in 2005, they are home to the tasting room and guesthouse.
Perhaps no surprise, the buildings have compiled a range of awards, including the ‘German Wine Architecture Award’, the ‘Antonio-Petrini Award’ of the city of Würzburg along with being named a ‘highlight of modern German wine culture’ by German Wine Institute.
The tasting room and wine shop occupies the glass cube clad in oak which is aptly called ‘Weinwerk’. The name alludes to a place offering workshops, and in the specific instance of Weingut am Stein learning about the winery’s own wines (aka wine tasting). But is also picks up nicely on the synergy of wine and oak and the origins of the estate which – founded over 125 years ago – started life as cooperage crafting and selling wine barrels.
At Weingut am Stein, there is also the food. Michelin-starred food at one of the most famous restaurants in Germany; Reisers am Stein. That said, here is the drawback. After more than 20 years at the winery, the restaurant run by chef Bernhard Reiser will close its doors in just a few weeks. But it’s safe to assume the restaurant will not remain empty for long. The synergy of winery and restaurant, nestled in the midst of the vineyards, overlooking the city of Würzburg is too perfect to let it go.
And finally, the second cube, built slightly away from the main compound resembling a monolith made of shell limestone, offers three bedrooms, along with an open kitchen and dining area. It is the perfect spot for a weekend stay in the vineyards. Or it might be even more perfect after participation in one of the various wine-themed events at the winery.
Wine events at Weingut am Stein
Wine tasting, wine seminars, cooking courses, and more. There are a lot of special occasions if you want to visit Weingut am Stein, and stay over night.
Perhaps the most renowned of them all is the annual Wein Am Stein festival. Typically taking place during the month of July, the two weeks event combines wine, food and life music and is one of the highlights in the long range of German wine events.
In conclusion
It’s the beautiful, contrasting architecture along with the range of events build around the wines what makes Weingut am Stein such an amazing wine destination. Whether you pop in spontaneously or for a scheduled event, you will be treated to excellent wines and fantastic views over the roofs of Würzburg.
Carrots and Tigers 