Dornfelder

The Dornfelder was bred in 1955 from the Helfensteiner and Heroldrebe varieties.

Dornfelder is primarily vinified as a dry wine, rarely as a semi-dry wine. They are full-bodied and smooth wines. They differ according to the style of vinification. Either the fruit flavours are emphasised or, when matured in large or small (barrique) wooden barrels, the tannins predominate and the fruit flavours recede accordingly. 

The breeder, August Herold, worked at the Weindorf viticultural school at the time. It was founded and established by Immanuel Dornfeld. As early as 1849, he, an administrative employee from outside the industry in the days of the German Emperor, submitted detailed proposals for the establishment of one of the first viticultural schools in Germany. After approval by His Majesty King Wilhelm I and a construction period of two years, it was opened in February 1868 (when Friedrich Nietzsche was 24 years old). Herold named this variety "Dornfelder" in his honour.

Immanuel Dornfeld was born in Neckarweihingen in 1796, the son of a village priest. After attending the Latin school in Ludwigsburg and an apprenticeship as a clerk in Gaildorf, he embarked on a career in administration. He then worked for what seemed like an eternity in various administrative positions, most recently in Weinsberg, where he died at the age of 73.