Weingut Uli Metzger

Weingut Metzger – Where Palatinate bull-like courage shapes the soul of the vineyard

A poetic journey into the heart of Uli Metzger's winemaking realm

Between limestone cliffs and light: The poetry of Metzger wine

The Palatinate contains places that do not reveal themselves to the visitor immediately. These are landscapes you do not grasp in passing, but that unfold over time, with leisure, with a certain sense for atmosphere. Asselheim is one of those places - a quiet, yet powerful piece of earth that has been shaped by viticulture for centuries. Amid these vineyards, between limestone, loess and warm south-western slopes, a winery has made a name for itself that now radiates far beyond the Palatinate: the Metzger Winery, run by winemaker Uli Metzger and his family.

If you make your way in Asselheim to the vineyards of the Metzger Winery, you immediately feel the special blend of history, soil and vitality. The gentle slopes, looking east toward the cool morning gray and west toward the warm evening light, hold a depth that cannot be put into words at once, but that is found again in every sip of the wines.

Those who now believe that behind the name Metzger there is a traditional butcher are not entirely right, but not completely wrong either. For the name is program. It is origin, identity, a wink of the eye. And above all it has become a brand: unmistakable and characterful, with a recognition value that goes far beyond the unmistakable label.

The Metzger Winery is not a rigid monument, but a living organism. Under the leadership of family patriarch Uli Metzger and his wife Karin, family tradition is combined here with contemporary wine artistry. Here wines are produced that are not simply drunk, but rather experienced: wines that tell of limestone, of highs and lows, of past times and future dreams. In this portrait we want to explore this world full of nuances, passion and groundedness.

A piece of the Palatinate, a whole heart: Introducing the Metzger Winery

Some wineries appear as if they lie over the landscape like a roof. The winery of Uli Metzger, by contrast, seems to grow out of the hill itself, as part of the earth, interwoven with the limestone, the clay, the loess. Here the Metzger family tends their vineyards with care and foresight.

The Metzger Winery in Asselheim is a family business in the best sense. Several generations work hand in hand here: in the vineyard, in the cellar, in the tasting room, in communications. The Metzger family is considered down-to-earth, rooted in their homeland and at the same time ambitious. Above all, Uli Metzger has earned a reputation over the decades that makes him one of the defining winemakers of the northern Palatinate.

Today the winery covers around 35 hectares of vineyard area - a size that allows working with care, precision and variety at the same time. Not a mass operation, but not a micro-winery either. Metzger is a middle way: on the one hand large enough to assert itself and develop further, on the other hand still small enough to keep a personal eye on every barrel, every batch, every parcel.

As a modern family winery, run in the third generation, it carries the spirit of bygone times as well as the vision of tomorrow. The cultivated areas are not limited to Asselheim but are spread across ambitious sites in Mühlheim, Bockenheim and even the famous Saumagen near Kallstadt. This mosaic of soil, elevation and microclimate allows Metzger to create a depth and variety of wine styles that are at once characterful and coherent.

With the bull on the label the winemaker has chosen a symbol that expresses strength, groundedness and self-confidence - an image that suits his wine; a wine that is not merely pleasing but expressive and honest.

The history of the Metzger Winery – From farm to Palatinate winemaking icon

The roots of the winery run deep. Over a century ago the Metzger family operated agriculture: livestock and arable farming, a mixed operation like many other farms in the Palatinate at the time. Viticulture was part of this work, but not yet a dominant factor.

Over time, however, this changed. Generation by generation the focus on the vines grew. The real rise of the winery came with the generation that pushed specialization in wine forward in the second half of the 20th century. Father Volker Metzger began the turn toward quality wine: vineyard areas grew, a structured management emerged and thus the spirit of a modern winery.

Then son Uli Metzger took the stage. He not only took over the business but an idea of wine that was bigger than tradition alone. He invested in cellar technology, expanded the vineyards, selected sites and shaped an unmistakable wine identity. The introduction of a striking classification – Flanke, Pastorenstück, Filet – was not only clever branding but an expression of a philosophy: wine is origin, wine is craft, wine is attitude.

Under Uli's leadership the Metzger Winery finally made the leap from a regional estate to a fixed presence in the German wine landscape. His wines are appreciated by critics, his sites are sought after and his style appeals to those looking for unmistakable wines with character and individuality.

The name Metzger, as the family likes to tell, was always a little joke and at the same time an homage. After all, it is a name that sticks. And so it became a brand, a symbol and a solid presence in German winemaking.

Philosophy of the Metzger Winery: Where restraint becomes strength

The Metzger Winery pursues a philosophy based on three supporting pillars: origin, craft and sustainability. The vines are not production inputs but partners. The vineyards are not acreage but a landscape. And wine is not a product but an expression of the soil, the climate, the people who accompany it.

Uli Metzger relies on careful canopy work, selective harvesting, reduced yields and a clear stylistic approach. Precision is more important to him than gratuitous showmanship. He wants to make wines that are drinkable and at the same time possess depth, that remain accessible yet demand respect.

And although the winery is not officially organically certified, Uli Metzger and his family work according to environmentally conscious principles: cover crops in the vineyard, promotion of biodiversity, abstaining from herbicides, gentle soil loosening, minimization of plant protection products and consistent hand harvesting in sensitive parcels. For Metzger, sustainability is not ideological rigidity but practical responsibility: for soil, vines and future generations.

The vineyard as teacher

Uli Metzger sees the vineyard not as a production site but as a teacher. The vines should be allowed to unfold, not be forced. The soils are greened so that the roots can breathe, so that life and microorganisms can nourish the vineyard. Chemical interventions are reduced to a minimum; instead Metzger relies on nature-friendly care: humus-building measures, nature-oriented cultivation and allowing natural processes.

Gentle hand harvesting and selection

Only grapes that have reached the required ripeness profile are picked. Not all berries, not all parcels, but selected, with an eye on the whole. That means more work, more time, but also more quality. Whoever carefully brings each grape into the press lays the foundation for wines with character.

Cellar work with measure and soul

After the harvest, no hectic processing begins in the cellar, but mindful creation. The mash rests gently, fermentation takes place where it makes sense. And then decisions are made: stainless steel or wooden cask? Barrique or large oak cask? This decision is not a stylistic one but a decision of origin. Each wine enjoys an aging that should not change it but let it speak.

Dry, precise, expressive

Metzger's style is clear: most wines are dry. The fruit is present, but it is not sweet. Rather there is a salty minerality, a lively acidity, a tension between power and elegance. These wines are not idle chatter but quiet poets. They demand attention and reward patience.

Sustainability as a basic attitude

This is not a catchphrase: for Metzger sustainability is not a marketing strategy but daily practice. The soils are not squeezed out but cared for. Cover crops, reduced plant protection products, natural processes: all this is part of everyday life. This produces not only perfect vines but wines that embody the terroir in the long term.

The Palatinate: More than a wine region - a soul

When one speaks about the Metzger Winery, one also speaks about the Palatinate; this warm, light-filled land shaped by limestone, which weaves wine into almost every facet of life. The Palatinate is not just any growing region; it is a melody of sun, soil and life.

In the Palatinate grapes grow that capture the light of the days and store the cool night air. The interplay of warmth and cooling, of heights and lows, makes wines possible that can be at once dense and delicate, powerful and elegant.

Especially the north around Asselheim, where the Metzger Winery is located, has achieved a remarkable level of quality in recent decades. The landscape is characterized by gentle hills, long growing seasons, moderate temperatures and lime-rich soils; ideal conditions for Burgundian varieties and Riesling.

Asselheim is a special place, marked by limestone reefs, shell limestone and sandy loam soils. This diversity makes the wines of the Metzger Winery so exciting: they possess mineral tension, elegant fruit, often a salty core and a remarkable freshness.

Soils that tell stories: limestone, marl, gravel and life

The soils of the Metzger Winery are not static surfaces but living maps of Earth's history. In the vineyards you find limestone slabs that look like old manuscripts, beneath them marl layers that testify to ancient seas, and occasional gravel and stone zones that give the vines warmth and drainage.

This soil mix is not indifferent; it fundamentally shapes the wines. The limestone gives a salty minerality, a precise structure, a cool clarity. The marl brings warmth, depth and a creamy texture. The gravel acts like a heat store, lets the vines breathe, gives depth and a concentrated foundation.

A bottle of Metzger wine is at its core the sum of millions of years of geological processes, poured into a glass full of life and memory.

Vineyard sites of the Metzger Winery: The poetic atlas of origin

The vineyards of the Metzger family are not simply fields but a kaleidoscope of stories, microclimates and character traits. Each site has its own personality and together they form the heart of the winery.

The Asselheimer Goldberg is a stony, lime-rich site that warms gently with the first rays of sun and stores the heat over the day to release it again at night. The wines – especially Chardonnay and Pinot Noir – show a crystalline minerality, a taut line and a long-lasting freshness that reflects the calcareous subsoil.

In the St. Stephan site, on the other hand, the vines feel sheltered. The slopes are terraced, slightly protected from the wind and receive good sunshine; the microclimate allows a longer ripening period. The Pinot Noir vines here develop tannins that are gentle but pronounced; aromas of red berries, herbs and a fine hint of forest characterize wines that unfold slowly.

The Obere Breithecke is a south-facing parcel with a strongly calcareous subsoil. Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris that root here tend toward a creamy texture without any heaviness. These wines show an elegant balance between fruit and minerality, a gentle salinity and an elegance that is not intrusive but spatial.

In the Langental a cool draft from the Eis valley blows at night. This freshness is a gift: the grapes ripen slowly, the acidity remains alive and the potential wines retain a vibrant clarity. Here arise white wines that appear almost dancer-like light, with citrus and herbal notes, with floral precision and a lively acidity interplay that pulses even on the finish.

The Kallstadter Saumagen, one of the icons of the Palatinate, is for the Metzger Winery a place of passion. The calcareous-marl soils combined with optimal sun exposure allow the production of wines with depth, structure and aging potential. Here Chardonnay and Pinot Noir mature to true greatness: dense, expressive, with a salty core and a clear identity of origin.

Other sites like Mühlheimer Hesselbrunnen and Sonnenberg bring their own nuances: fruit-forward slopes, warm southern exposures and differently inclined parcels that together shape the multifaceted profile of the Metzger Winery.

Grape varieties at Uli Metzger's winery: Diversity as a resonant space

The selection of grape varieties at the Metzger Winery is not an arbitrary choice of varieties but a carefully curated repertoire that optimally reflects the soil, the climate and the house philosophy.

While Riesling at Metzger forms the foundation of many white wines with its typical Palatinate freshness, crisp acidity and stony, salty tone, Chardonnay unfolds a whole other dimension: it is not only creamy but also structured, possesses depth and power without being excessive.

Pinot Blanc (Weißburgunder) at Metzger matures to astonishing elegance: it conveys subtle fruit, floral notes and a silky texture intensified by the lime-rich soil. The same applies to Pinot Gris (Grauburgunder), whose aromas of ripe pear, peach and almond are accompanied by a mineral vein that gives the wine tension.

But Uli Metzger does not stop at the classic Burgundian varieties: Sauvignon Blanc brings fine-edged freshness with native herbal spices, Muscat (Muskateller) harbors aromatic intensity, while Gewürztraminer and Scheurebe add a fragrant, aromatic variety to the range that sometimes drifts into exotic play without forfeiting the characteristic clarity of the house. Also Rivaner and the rarer variety Albalonga belong to the grape spectrum - a true homage to diversity without diluting values.

Among red wines, Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder) takes a central role. At Metzger it is not just a means to an end but the heart: delicate, powerful, finely structured. But alongside it grow more international varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot bring structure and body, Tempranillo unfolds spice and the more unusual varieties like Aligoté, Syrah or Pinot Meunier show how experimental Metzger can be without betraying its soil identity.

To present this diversity clearly, here is a short list of the most important grape varieties:

• Riesling
• Chardonnay
• Pinot Blanc
• Pinot Gris
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Muscat
• Gewürztraminer
• Scheurebe
• Rivaner
• Albalonga
• Pinot Noir
• Pinot Meunier
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Merlot
• Tempranillo
• Aligoté
• Syrah

These grape varieties are not merely names on a paper; they are voices that harmoniously interact in the limestone gardens and vineyards of the Metzger Winery and form a multi-voiced wine orchestra.

Winemaking: The art of preserving nature

Winemaking at the Metzger Winery is driven by a deep conviction: the wine must reflect nature, not cover it up. That is why the work does not begin in the cellar but in the vineyard. There the grapes are selectively hand-harvested; each grape, each parcel is carefully examined to bring only the best into the cellar.

In the cellar a gentle entry then takes place: gentle pressing, slow fermentation, no haste, no coercion. Depending on style and variety, the team decides whether the wine should ferment in stainless steel to preserve freshness or whether wooden barrels are used to build structure, presence and depth. For some top wines barrique is also the method of choice because it allows subtle nuances, fine tannins and maturation without overpainting the origin.

During maceration times extraction is not done blindly but with restraint. Each container, each variety has its own story, its own rhythm. Filtration is done gently so as not to strip away the natural aromas, and bottling is not a mechanical act but a moment of respect.

In the end there is a wine that is not only technically successful but appears alive: a wine with structure, with minerality, with origin in the glass.

Prestige wines: Metzger's poetic filet pieces

Among the house wines there are some that not only impress with their quality but also with their personality, manifested in names that carry poetry or imagery.

One of these stars is the Abyssus Chardonnay. The name "Abyssus" hints at depth, something unfathomable. And that is exactly what this wine offers: depth, saltiness, a chalky vein that spreads across the mouth, an elegiac harmony of fruit and structure.

The Abyssus Pinot Noir is its red counterpart. A Pinot that is not loud but speaks with a subtle voice. It has fine tannins, a slim, Burgundian finesse and a length that arouses curiosity. One feels as if with every sip another nuance is discovered, as if the wine opens a room.

Then there is the Melandor, a powerful Pinot Noir that says more than one expects at first glance. It is dense, dark, deeply rooted - like a tree anchored in calcareous soils that plays its strength through tension.

The Arthos is not just a wine but a small legend: a Pinot Noir that has won awards for its elegance and price-performance ratio, showing that Metzger not only crafts dreams but also lives top-class quality.

Prago is a fine, elegant Pinot with a Burgundian touch. It appears light but assured, delicate in aroma, present on the palate, precise on the finish.

And then there is the Schmuckstück Rot: a cuvée that is perhaps a bit cheekier, full of fruit, spicy, with velvety tannins. A red wine that does not shout loudly but smiles charmingly, without sacrificing complexity.

These wines are not mass-produced. They are visions bottled: from special sites, with careful work, with patience and pride.

Symbolism of the cow head, meat cuts & quality levels

A special feature of the winery is the symbolism on the labels: the cow head as the central trademark – humorous, striking, identity-forming. And the famous meat-cut levels: Flanke, Pastorenstück, Filet. They serve not as a marketing joke but as a quality classification.

• "Flanke" stands for the entry level, fruity, accessible.
• "Pastorenstück" for selection, structure, minerality.
• "Filet" for the top parcels – precise, complex, long-lived.

For beginners Flanke white wines are suitable. For advanced drinkers Pastorenstück wines offer structure and minerality. For connoisseurs and collectors Filet wines are the first choice. "Black Label" finally is the crowning discipline: rare, concentrated, powerful.

Awards and recognitions: When the echo of quality becomes loud

The wines of the Metzger Winery are significant not only in the bottle but also from the perspective of the wine world. Some of their creations have received renowned awards, which are not only homage but also proof of consistent quality and fidelity to origin.

Here is a small selection of the most important awards:

1. Vinum Wine Guide
The Metzger Winery has been repeatedly honored with high awards in the Vinum Wine Guide, including 4.5 stars for its overall appearance and outstanding single-vineyard wines. Recently Metzger was also named "Winery of the Year 2026". Such top ratings confirm that the cold, wet winter nights, the stony soils and careful cellar work lead to wines that attract national and international attention.

2. Gault&Millau
For its performance Metzger received five grapes in Gault&Millau. This is a strong recognition for a family winery that presents itself as both down-to-earth and ambitious.

3. German Red Wine Prize
The Pinot Noir "Arthos" took first place in this renowned competition, showing how highly Metzger is valued in the red wine category. Not only for its taste but for its price-performance ratio.

These awards are no accident. They are the echo of a winemaker philosophy that relies on origin, patience, quality and character. They show that Metzger has not only local roots but national radiance.

The significance of success: Why the laurels are more than decoration

For a winery like Metzger awards are not just prestige; they are milestones. They confirm that the philosophy works: selective hand harvesting, sustainable vineyard work, cellar aging with integrity and a consistent focus on site.

At the same time recognition opens doors: to wine lovers, to merchants, to connoisseurs across Germany and beyond. It makes Metzger visible and legitimizes the ambitious single-site work, because top wine is only possible when you think it in the vineyard.

But Uli Metzger would probably say: the greatest reward is not a prize but a glass of wine that tells its story: about limestone, heights, long nights and the living power of nature.

The winery's importance in the wine landscape: A Palatinate beacon

There are many wineries in the Palatinate with history and quality. But Metzger has carved out a special niche: it is not a pure classic, nor a trend estate. It is a bridge builder: between tradition and modernity, between origin and innovation, between powerful character wines and elegant ambassadors of its terroir.

Its wines speak to both connoisseurs and curious enthusiasts. Whoever holds a glass of Metzger wine receives not only fruit or oak but soil, air, light. They receive Asselheim, the Eis valley wind, the calcareous subsoil, the heights and the story of a winemaker's life.

This winery matters not only for the Palatinate but for the entire German wine landscape. It shows that one can uphold origin without being dogmatic; that one can combine soil respect with style; that one can make wines that are honest and yet bold.

Final reflection: Wine as a mirror of origin and courage

The Metzger Winery is more than a wine business - it is an expression of attitude. Every wine produced here tells a story: of limestone, of heights, of wind, of patience and of courage. Courage not to take the easiest path, but to choose the stony track that the terroir demands.

Uli Metzger has not only leased vineyards, he has planted visions that are tangible in every bottle. His family, his team and the soils together create wines that are not only good but meaningful. Wines that one does not simply drink but experiences.

If at the end of a tasting at Metzger you are allowed to pause, if you feel that quiet pulse of minerality and origin in the glass, then you understand: for Metzger wine is not a means to an end. Wine is a language. And Metzger is someone who speaks that language with great clarity.

Metzger Winery in numbers: A brief overview

• Vineyard area: 35 hectares
• Owners: Uli and Karin Metzger, third generation
• Locations: Asselheim, Mühlheim, Bockenheim, Kallstadter Saumagen - Palatinate
• Characteristic soils: limestone, calcareous marl, loess, gravel
• Important sites: Goldberg, St. Stephan, Langental, Saumagen, Sonnenberg etc.
• Grape varieties: Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc & Gris, Sauvignon, Muscat, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir, Cabernet, Tempranillo, etc.
• Wine levels: Flanke, Pastorenstück, Filet
• Famous wines: Abyssus Chardonnay, Abyssus Pinot Noir, Melandor, Arthos, Prago, Schmuckstück Rot
• Awards: Vinum 4.5 stars, Gault-Millau 3 grapes, German Red Wine Prize (Arthos), Falstaff ratings

Image credits and copyright:

All photos in this portrait come from ©pfalzweinfoto and were taken from the official media and press kit of the Metzger Winery. Any use beyond this article requires the author's consent.