Region: Württemberg

In an impressive way, the wine estate of Rainer Schnaitmann has developed into a respected address in Germany and beyond. For years, the Gault & Millau “Aufsteiger des Jahres” is listed amongst the 100 best wine estates in Germany; in all major wine publications, it is listed as the absolute top of Württemberg estates. In 2006 it was affiliated by the “Verband deutscher Prädikatsweingüter” (the Association of German Prädikat Wine Estates, abbreviated VDP), the youngest wine estate until then. Its success is carried by the family and by the well-trained employees. The grapes are picked only by hand. A team of many people from the surrounding area of Stuttgart, does this work in the steep slopes, which in some years can take up to 9 weeks, with passion and endurance. Of course, the joy of life will not be forgotten, lunch at working days is served together with the trainees and interns, and the best wines from all over the world are tasted and discussed.

In any case, Rainer Schnaitmann has not yet regretted the fact that he did not begin his planned architectural studies in favor of the 500-year-old family tradition of growing grapes. He is convinced that the potential of the top vineyard sites in the Stuttgart-Rems Valley is far from exhausted. A further step in this direction is the organic viticulture, which has been practiced for years and whose certification was successfully completed in 2016. This is how wines are created that embody the estate’s philosophy: Never tire, never bore – and the bottle must be emptied easily. At least when there’s two of you…