Von Winning: German Wine Excellence in the Heart of Pfalz.
Weingut Von Winning’s vibrant, eye-catching labels make a strong impression even before the bottle is opened, capturing attention across both Germany and international markets. Based in Germany’s renowned Pfalz region, Von Winning is celebrated for its exceptional Riesling and diverse portfolio, including standout varieties like Sauvignon Blanc, Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc), Chardonnay, and Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir).
For wine lovers, Von Winning’s distinct style truly sets it apart from other German producers. In short, this estate embodies all the hallmarks of a successful winery: prime vineyard sites, innovative winemaking, and strong market presence.
In this article we explore the secrets behind Von Winning’s success, and the fascinating stories that have shaped its journey, revealed through an exclusive interview and tasting.
History of Weingut von Winning
Weingut von Winning, originally known as Weingut Dr. Deinhard, traces its roots back to 1849, when two prominent wine families—the Deinhard, sparkling wine masters from Koblenz in the Mosel region, and the Bassermann-Jordan family—joined forces to establish a new winery in Deidesheim under the name Dr. Deinhard. The estate quickly gained recognition and became one of Germany’s premier wineries.
A significant turning point came two generations later, in 1907, when a daughter of the Deinhard family married Leopold von Winning. Upon taking over the estate, Leopold updated its name to Von Winning and revolutionized the winery, focusing on quality-driven winemaking, careful vineyard selection for specific varietals, and even contributing to local wine regulations. He was also one of the founding members of the VDP (Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter), an association dedicated to promoting the highest quality in German viticulture.
After the World Wars, the winery was forced to change its name so that choose its original name, Weingut Dr. Deinhard. However, the years when it was known as Von Winning are considered a golden period for the estate, as they marked a time of innovation and prominence. In 2008, under the leadership of Stephan Attmann, the winery reclaimed the name, Weingut Von Winning again, embracing its rich heritage and continuing its dedication to producing top-quality wines with a focus on excellence and tradition.
The Uniqueness and DNA of Von Winning
Von Winning’s distinctive winemaking style is characterized by its pioneering use of oak barrels for white wines—not just Chardonnay, but also for Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. Although still relatively uncommon today, Von Winning embraced this approach in 2007, driven by their core values of experimentation and innovation.
While new ideas often face initial criticism, it is through these challenges that history and uniqueness are created, something deeply ingrained in Von Winning’s DNA. Their experiment with oak-aging Riesling has proven to be a resounding success since its beginning. Early vintages, such as those from 2009, 2010, and 2012, continue to shine, showcasing elegance, minerality, and balance.
A key to this success is their deep understanding of terroir. For example, their signature Erste Lage vineyard, Paradiesgarten in Deidesheim, produces wines with a clean, linear, and elegant profile. Here, Von Winning uses large oak barrels, imparting subtle oak influence while avoiding dominant tannins and heavy new oak flavors. By contrast, grapes from their Grosse Lage vineyards in Forst, with volcanic basalt soils, produce wines with greater power, body, and minerality that pair well with more pronounced new oak.
During our tasting we also noticed the strong influence of terroir. Despite identical oak treatment in both proportion and duration, Rieslings from their Paradiesgarten and Herrenletten vineyards showcase dramatically different characteristics, a testament to the distinctiveness of each vineyard’s terroir. Rather than overpowering the wines, the oak accentuates the inherent qualities, allowing the unique attributes of each vineyard to come through.
Von Winning has refined their use of oak year after year. Over time, the amount of oak has naturally decreased—not by deliberate choice, but as a result of their ongoing process of trial and refinement in pursuit of the ideal expression for each wine.
Better Grapes, Better Wine
Von Winning’s dedication to terroir has allowed them to refine their vineyard practices, ensuring the highest quality grapes. Since 2007, significant improvements have been made, all with a focus on producing exceptional fruit. These include carefully matching grape varieties to the most suitable vineyard sites, investing in better machinery, increasing manual labor, and adopting sustainable, organic, and biodynamic farming methods—steps toward full certification. Their approach prioritizes healthy, energetic grapes harvested at the perfect time, enabling minimal intervention in the winery.
This level of care requires meticulous attention in the vineyard, with quality always at the forefront. Although organic certification is in progress, the ultimate goal remains the same: producing outstanding wines guided by a philosophy of excellence above all else.
Diverse Product Range and Von Winning’s Identity
Unlike many typical German wineries, Von Winning places significant focus on Sauvignon Blanc. Known for their experimental spirit, they have innovatively cultivated this second flagship white variety, alongside Riesling. Their first dense plantation in Paradiesgarten in 2008 produced an entry-level Sauvignon Blanc. Since then, they have expanded into more premium offerings, with some wines aged in oak barrels for extended maturation. Von Winning’s Sauvignon Blanc stands out globally, offering a unique German expression—lower in alcohol, high in acidity, with a distinct minerality—differing from any of those of Sancerre, Bordeaux, or Marlborough.
Among their rich portfolio, Estate Wines (Guts weinen) are important wines for the winery. Key offerings like the ‘Win Win Riesling’ or ‘Sauvignon Blanc II’ serve as introductions to the Von Winning brand. Similar to non-vintage Champagne, these entry-level wines showcase consistency, offering consumers a reliable brand style across its largest production.
While renowned for their small-production of top-tier wines, Von Winning’s ability to produce high-quality, large-volume Gutswein demonstrates their mastery and commitment to quality. For many, these wines serve as a gateway to the unique qualities of Von Winning’s vineyards and philosophy.
Tasting their Premium Wines
We tasted four premium Von Winning wines from the 2022 vintage for our readers. Despite a hot, dry year, Germany’s cool climate and Von Winning’s winemaking techniques preserved the fresh, elegant style characteristic of the Pfalz region. Among these, two Erste Lage (Premier Cru) Rieslings showcase the unique qualities of their respective vineyards, offering a fascinating side-by-side comparison.
2022 Sauvignon Blanc I | Gutswein
Sauvignon Blanc is not traditionally a varietal of the Pfalz, but it’s a standout at Von Winning. Sourced from the Paradiesgarten (Erste Lage) vineyard, this wine is fermented and matured in oak. Deep gold color with flavors of grapefruit, ripe apricot, gooseberry, herbs, vanilla, and hazelnuts. A vibrant acidity is balanced with a creamy, round texture, combining Sauvignon characteristics with a Burgundian style.
We award this wine with a 93-point DWA score.
2022 Riesling Paradiesgarten Trocken | Erste Lage
Deidesheim’s Paradiesgarten vineyard, rooted in sandstone soils, produces a wine of refined elegance. Fermented in old oak and aged on the lees for a year, this wine reveals vibrant notes of citrus, yellow peach, tropical fruit, and hay. With its mouthwatering acidity and juicy, supple texture, it offers a light, elegant finish that’s both refreshing and satisfying.
We award this wine with a 91-point DWA score.
2022 Riesling Herrenletten Trocken| Erste Lage
The Herrenletten vineyard, with its deep loamy soil, imparts a savory depth to this Riesling. While the oak influence aligns with that of Paradiesgarten, it results in a more structured profile. Expect notes of ripe apricot, orange peel, delicate spices, hazelnuts, and floral hints, all supported by a fuller body and rich mid-palate. This wine also offers promising aging potential.
We award this wine with a 92-point DWA score.
2022 Weisser Burgunder Imperiale | Gutswein
Sourced from Ruppertsberg, including select Erste Lage vineyards, this wine bridges Erste Lage and village-level quality. It features notes of ripe apricot, lime zest, raw almond, roasted hazelnuts, and spices, delivering a dense, creamy texture balanced by refreshing acidity. The finish reveals a pleasant hint of citrus peel bitterness.
We award this wine with a 93-point DWA score.
Von Winning’s Visionary Approach: Always Ready for New Challenges
Von Winning’s exceptional wines, crafted from prime vineyards and shaped by innovative winemaking, set a high standard in Germany’s wine scene. Each bottle embodies the estate’s spirit, serving as its finest ambassador. Backed by a young, dynamic team, Von Winning continually innovates, challenging conventions and redefining winemaking boundaries.
As Oskar Micheletti, the winery’s export manager, noted, ‘If you ever get the chance, I hope you’ll enjoy an aged Von Winning Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc. Even more fascinating.’ Looking ahead, Von Winning is considering bottle aging for some wines before release, embracing new challenges with its signature pioneering spirit.”
We would like to extend our thanks to Weingut von Winning, especially Oskar Micheletti for sharing these fascinating insights during our interview. Picture credits: Von Winning.
This article was written by Kazumi Uejo. Von Winning’s wines are available in many international markets and are well distributed. In the Netherlands, you can purchase them through importer Vinites and selected partners. Special thanks to Vinites for providing the wines we tasted.
