VDP.ESTATE
BLANKENHORN

VDP: What is so special about your winery?

Martin Männer: Our winery combines a long tradition with a clear focus on provenance and terroir. Blankenhorn was founded in 1847 and is situated in the historic centre of Schliengen in the Markgräflerland – one of Germany’s most exciting Burgundy-style wine regions.

Coming from a different background, I took over the winery with the vision of bringing out the distinctive characteristics of the special vineyards around Schliengen and Istein. The limestone-rich soils and the warm climate of the Upper Rhine Graben offer ideal conditions for Burgundy varieties such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, as well as for Gutedel, a traditional variety in our region.

The heart of the winery is our historic 17th-century cross-vaulted cellar, which is now equipped with modern cellar technology, thus combining tradition with contemporary winemaking.

VDP: What is your winery philosophy?

Martin Männer: Our philosophy is characterised by patience, craftsmanship and a respectful approach to nature. We work as closely as possible with nature in our vineyards and strive to foster a thriving ecosystem. This includes, amongst other things, sheep, which help to naturally maintain the vegetation in our vineyards, as well as new approaches such as vitiforestation, which we have been implementing since 2026.

In the cellar, we give our wines the time they need – both in the barrel and in the bottle. Only in this way can a wine’s origin, vintage and character truly unfold. Our sustainable approach is also documented by our Fair’n Green certification.

VDP: What wine style do you aim for?

Martin Männer: We strive to produce elegant, precise wines that reflect their terroir. We place great importance on clear structure, freshness and balance, so that the origin and character of each vineyard remain recognisable in the wine. Particularly with our Burgundy varieties, we prioritise finesse, complexity and drinkability over sheer power.

VDP: Do you have a favourite grape variety?

Martin Männer: One favourite variety just isn’t enough! It always depends on the occasion and the situation. A chilled glass of Gutedel on a summer’s evening, a lovely sip of Pinot Noir by the tiled stove, or a glass of Chardonnay with a good meal. Whatever suits the moment, whatever takes your fancy.

VDP: Which of your wines would you recommend to someone who does not yet know your winery - as an introduction, so to speak?

Martin Männer:  As a resident of the Markgräflerland, there’s no getting away from Gutedel for me. This grape variety is closely linked to our region and truly reflects the character of the Markgräflerland.

A lovely introduction is therefore a classic Gutedel – or perhaps a slightly more complex interpretation of the grape variety, such as our oak-aged Chasselas ‘Le Clocher’ from Schliengener Kirchberg. Both wines are excellent examples of our winery’s style and heritage.

VDP: Which wine are you particularly proud of?

Martin Männer: Generally speaking, I’m proud of every wine that leaves our winery – after all, a great deal of hard work and passion goes into every vintage. At the moment, however, our 2021 SONNENSTÜCK Chardonnay GG is particularly close to my heart. The wine currently displays a wonderful balance of ripeness, depth and freshness, and for me it beautifully exemplifies the potential of this vineyard and our Chardonnays.

VDP: Do you have role models?

Martin Männer: Of course, there are winemakers and figures who inspire me. I have been particularly impressed by Bernhard Huber, Aubert de Villaine, Leo Hillinger, and Florence and Daniel Cathiard. They are synonymous with great wines, a distinct sense of terroir, and the courage to consistently pursue their own style.

VDP: What are your next goals?

Martin Männer:  Our aim is to capture the quality of our vineyards in the bottle with ever greater precision each year and to further refine our winery’s style. At the same time, we would like to see our wines feature more prominently once again in wine-loving restaurants and specialist wine shops.
Another major priority is to welcome even more guests to our winery in Schliengen. The newly redesigned winery has created a special place where we aim to bring our wines and our region to life.

VDP: How do you combine tradition and innovation?

Martin Männer: Tradition and innovation go hand in hand here. Our historic vaulted cellar forms the heart of the winery, whilst modern cellar technology and contemporary architecture open up new possibilities in winemaking.
In the ageing process, we are deliberately placing greater emphasis once again on large wooden barrels ranging from 700 to 3,000 litres. These give the wines depth and structure without masking their origins. At the same time, we take the time a wine needs to develop to its full potential in the barrel and in the bottle.