Dornfelder

Portrait

Dornfelder was bred in 1955 by August Herold at the wine and fruit institute in Weinsberg, as a cross of Helfensteiner and Heroldrebe. The variety is named after Immanuel Dornfeld, the founder of the Weinsberg institute. From the 1980s it enjoyed a strong rise in Germany and is now among the most planted red varieties.

The vine is productive and robust, buds early and ripens mid-season to late; it yields deep-coloured wines of low to medium tannin. It grows well on loess, loam and sand. Fruit-driven with cherry, blackberry and elderberry, it is often drunk young, while yield-reduced wines are aged in barrique.

Dornfelder goes with grilled dishes, pasta, burgers and mild cheeses.