Wines from Saale-Unstrut (69)

Discover the Saale Unstrut wine region for yourself

Two rivers give the Saale-Unstrut cultivation area its name. Along the Romantic Road, high vineyard terraces are situated in narrow river valleys. We follow the path of wine on hiking and educational trails, passing castles, fortresses, and the Naumburg Cathedral along the way. Quaint little wine huts can be found everywhere among the vines. 

Indeed, Saale Unstrut is a gem - and is now enjoying international renown. Every year in mid-September, the wine capital of Freyburg invites you to the winemaker's festival in wine taverns and estate inns.

Saale Unstrut wine region: History & Geography

Culture, nature, romance, and wine - this wine region combines them all, with a nearly effortless authenticity. After all, viticulture between Leipzig and Weimar has a long history: As early as 1066, Cistercian monks planted the first vines at the state vineyard Kloster Pforta. Since the late 1980s, Saale Unstrut has been on the rise as a certified quality wine region. 

Over 70 percent of the cultivation area is dedicated to white wine. Three federal states share this small but fine wine region: Saxony-Anhalt with 639 ha, Thuringia with 108 ha, and Brandenburg with 10 ha. From Berlin to a glass of wine in Saale Unstrut? Just a stone's throw away, as the next winery is already waiting two hours to the south. With its location on the 51st parallel, this wine-growing region is the northernmost in Germany. Quite quirky - after all, the official wine-growing limit is 50. Why do premium wines grow here nonetheless? Exceptional climatic conditions make it possible.

Saale Unstrut wine-growing region: Soil & Grape Varieties

It couldn't be better! Buntsandstein, shell limestone, clay, slate, and loess clay provide the unique foundation for these wines, and the climate is continental and low in rainfall. Whether in the cooler north of the region or the milder south, white wine dominates everywhere, zesty, powerful, and finely nuanced fruity. 

The vineyards in Saale-Unstrut are mainly planted with early-ripening, dry varieties such as Müller-Thurgau, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, and Silvaner. But promising new hybrids like Kerner and Bacchus also have an excellent chance of ripening accurately here. A total of 50 grape varieties from more than 50 private wineries and winemaker associations benefit from an average of 1570 hours of sunshine annually in Saale Unstrut.

Grape Varieties in 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 examples with their proportions 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 aging potential. Saale Unstrut red wine is quantitatively modestly represented, but qualitatively all the more precious. How do they taste? Think of Portugieser, Dornfelder, Spätburgunder, or Zweigelt - velvety aromas, influenced by local forest fruits. You can already tell: Saale Unstrut wine stands out with its diversity of locations. Besides large areas like Naumburg Göttersitz or Großjenaer Blütengrund, Saale Unstrut delights with numerous single locations such as Freyburger Mühlberg or Weimar's Poetenweg.

Excellent climate - not just for white wines!

What makes these cool-climate wines from the northeast so fragrant, aromatic, and intense? During growth, strong temperature differences between day and night prevail. The vineyards face south, eager to capture their maximum sunshine. Heat islands in the valleys create a mild microclimate. However, there are weather conditions that challenge and constantly oppose the vine. But it's worth it, as the result is high quality: Saale Unstrut wine is infused with freshness and cool elegance. 

Limited average yields of only 50 hectoliters per hectare? No problem - such factors only intensify the aromatic density of Saale Unstrut wine! But never heavy, as it has a light body, moderate acidity, and alcohol content. Herbal-fruity notes dominate - typical for Müller-Thurgau and the light Gutedel, but also some Rieslings, Silvaners, and Pinot Blancs.

Winemaking tradition in Saale Unstrut - for wines with charisma

Pure idyl: Sleepy lies the winery amidst its own vines - a symbol for wine experiences in unspoiled nature. Small and larger wine producers invite tastings, tours, and open vineyard days. Enjoy Saale Unstrut wine directly from the cellar or the row of vines in the vineyard; history and secrets of the wine philosophy come free of charge. 

Among the largest wineries are the Winemakers Association Freyburg with around 450 vintners, the Naumburg wine and sparkling wine manufactory, and the Rotkäppchen sparkling wine cellar. To preserve the lovingly cultivated wine landscape over generations, the winemakers of Saale Unstrut are committed to environmentally friendly wine production. Stability over transience is the motto. Ecologically certified wineries replace pesticides and synthetic fertilizers with organic agents. But they primarily 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 can find selected drops from the Winemakers Association Freyburg-Unstrut. Interested in a berry-like Bacchus, sweet or semi-dry? Or a piece of Auxerrois? Of course, the Winemakers Association Freyburg-Unstrut also delights with Müller-Thurgau, oak-aged Grauburgunder Spätlese, or a charming André. Wines in four quality levels bring all the flavors of the single locations to your palate. Light, fruit-driven basic wines for uncomplicated drinking pleasure are also included. 

Additionally, VINELLO highly recommends the winery Bernhard Pawis: It all began in 1990 in the Freyburg Ehraubergen, with a tiny 0.5 hectares of cultivation area. Today, the once smallest winery in Germany sits in the historic estate of Zscheiplitz - and is a member of the Association of German Prädikatsweingüter (VDP). An irresistible setting for a wine tasting: Green Silvaner or rather Kerner? White Pinot? Or Blue Zweigelt from Saale Unstrut? A must - for connoisseurs and novices alike.

Slowfood wines: Enjoy peacefully with respect

Did you know? White wines like Müller-Thurgau, Silvaner, or Gutedel love cool drinking temperatures between 8 and 10°C, while Riesling, white, and grey Pinot develop best at 10 to 12°C. Fine wines from northern Germany are now available for order and tasting at VINELLO - a conscious decision for quality over quantity. German quality wines (DQW) from Saale-Unstrut: Relaxed and tranquil as their region - but every glass is an event.