Wine from Saale-Unstrut

Discover the wine region Saale Unstrut by yourself

Two rivers give the Saale-Unstrut growing area its name. Along the Road of Romanticism there are high vineyard terraces in narrow river valleys. We follow the path of wine on hiking and educational trails, passing castles, palaces and Naumburg Cathedral on the way. Everywhere you will find traditional vineyard cottages squatting between the vines. 

Yes, Saale Unstrut is a gem - and enjoys international renown by now. Every year in mid-September, the wine capital Freyburg invites you to a wine festival in Straußwirtschaften and Gutsschänke.

Wine region Saale Unstrut: History & Geography

Culture, nature, romance and wine - this wine region unites them all, with an almost natural originality. After all, viticulture between Leipzig and Weimar has a long history: as early as 1066, Cistercian monks planted the first vines at the state winery Kloster Pforta. Since the late 1980s, Saale Unstrut has been on the upswing as a certified quality wine region. 

More than 70 percent of the area under cultivation belongs to white wine. Three federal states share the small but fine wine region: Saxony-Anhalt with 639 ha, Thuringia with 108 ha and Brandenburg with 10 ha. From Berlin for a glass of wine to Saale Unstrut? Only a stone's throw away, because the next winery is already waiting two hours south. With its location on the 51st degree of latitude, this wine-growing region is the northernmost in Germany. Quite idiosyncratic - after all, at 50th is the official wine growing limit. Why grow premium wines here anyway? Exceptional climatic conditions make it possible.

Wine-growing region Saale Unstrut: Soil & grape varieties

There is no better way! Variegated sandstone, shell limestone, clay, slate and loess loam provide the unique basis for these wines. The climate is continental and low in rainfall. Whether in the cooler north of the region or in the milder south, white wine dominates everywhere, sparkling, strong and finely nuanced fruity. 

The vineyards in Saale-Unstrut are mainly planted with early maturing, dry varieties such as Müller-Thurgau, Pinot Blanc, Riesling and Silvaner. But also promising new varieties such as Kerner and Bacchus have an excellent chance for unerring ripeness. A total of 50 grape varieties from more than 50 private vineyards and wine growers' associations benefit from 1570 hours of sunshine in Saale Unstrut on an annual average.

Grape varieties Saale-Unstrut (2019)

In general, the grape varieties in Saale Unstrut are divided as follows:

• White 74,7%
• red 25.3%

And here are some selected individuals with their shares of the dominant white grape varieties:

• Müller-Thurgau 15.2%
• Pinot Blanc 13,7%
• Riesling 8,9%
• Dornfelder 6,8%
• Bacchus 6.4%
• Silvaner 6,1%

Among them are also exquisite red wines with storage potential. Saale Unstrut red wine is quantitatively discreetly represented, but qualitatively all the more precious. How they taste? Think of Portugieser, Dornfelder, Pinot Noir or Zweigelt - velvety aromas, influenced by local forest fruits. You will already notice: Saale Unstrut wine scores with its variety of sites. In addition to large vineyards such as the Naumburg Göttersitz or the Großjenaer Blütengrund, Saale Unstrut also inspires with numerous individual vineyards such as the Freyburger Mühlberg or the Weimarer Poetenweg.

Great climate - not only for white wines!

What makes these Cool-Climate-Wines from the North-East so fragrant, aromatic and intense? During the growing period, strong temperature differences dominate day and night. The vines go south, striving to catch their maximum amount of sun. Heat islands in the valleys provide a mild microclimate. Nevertheless, weather conditions that are demanding due to changing stimuli and against which the vine must constantly brace itself. But it's worth it, because the result is high quality: Saale Unstrut wine blows around freshness and cool elegance. 

Limited average yields of only 50 hectoliters per hectare? No problem - something like this only makes the aroma density of Saale Unstrut wine even more intense! But never heavy, because of its light body, moderate acidity and alcohol content. Vegetable fruity notes dominate - typical for Müller-Thurgau and the light Gutedel, but also some Rieslings, Silvaner and Pinot Blanc.

Winegrowing tradition in Saale Unstrut - for wines with radiance

Pure idyll: The winery lies sleepy in the middle of its own vines - a symbol for wine experiences in unspoiled nature. Small and large wine producers invite you to tastings, guided tours and open vineyard days. Enjoy Saale Unstrut wine directly from the cellar or row of vines in the vineyard; history and secrets of the wine philosophy are free of charge. 

Among the largest wineries are the Winzervereinigung Freyburg with about 450 winegrowers, the Naumburg Wine and Sparkling Wine Manufacture and the Rotkäppchen Sektkellerei. In order to preserve the wine landscape which has been lovingly cultivated over generations, the winegrowers of Saale Unstrut feel obliged to environmentally friendly wine production. Consistency before short-livedness is the motto. Ecologically certified wineries replace pesticides and artificial fertilizers with organic sprays. But above all trust the vineyard as a self-regulating ecosystem - and you can taste that.

Saale Unstrut wine at VINELLO

Discover Saale Unstrut wines. At VINELLO you will find, for example, selected wines from the Freyburg-Unstrut winegrowers' association. Fancy a berry Bacchus, sweet or semi-dry? Or an Auxerrois? Of course, the Freyburg-Unstrut Winegrowers' Association also spoils you with Müller-Thurgau, Pinot Gris Spätlese matured in wooden barrels or a charming André. Wines in four quality levels bring all the aromas of the individual sites to your palate. Also light, fruity base wines for uncomplicated drinking pleasure are included. 

In addition, VINELLO recommends the Bernhard Pawis winery: It all began in 1990 in the Freyburger Ehraubergen, with a tiny 0.5 ha of cultivated area. Today, what was once Germany's smallest winery is located in the historic Zscheiplitz estate - and is a member of the Association of German Prädikat Wineries (VDP). An irresistible ambience for a wine tasting: Green Silvaner or rather Kerner? White Burgundy? Or Blauer Zweigelt from Saale Unstrut? A must - for connoisseurs and novices alike.

Slowfood wines: enjoy with respect

Knew? White wines like Müller-Thurgau, Silvaner or Gutedel love cool drinking temperatures between 8 and 10°C, Riesling, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris develop best at 10 to 12°C. Order and taste fine wines from northern Germany now at VINELLO - a conscious decision for class instead of mass. German quality wines (DQW) from Saale-Unstrut: Relaxed and contemplative like their region - but every glass is an event.