VDP.ESTATE
SCHLOSS SOMMERHAUSEN

“OUR WINERY PRODUCED THE CORONATION WINES OF THE GERMAN-ROMAN EMPERORS FOR CENTURIES!”

MARTIN STEINMANN SPEAKS ABOUT HIS WINES AND HIS WINE ESTATE IN SOMMERHAUSEN

Schloss Sommerhausen

Hauptstraße 25
97286 Sommerhausen

Phone09333-260
Fax09333/1488
eMailinfo@sommerhausen.com
Office Hours
Mo-Fr 10.00-18.00; Sa 10.00-16.00; So 10.00-14.00
Owner

Martin Steinmann

Cellarmaster

Martin Steinmann

Member Since

1975

Wine Area

18,40 acres

Grape Variety

30% Burgunder, 25% Silvaner, 20% Riesling sowie 25% weitere Sorten

Geology

Muschelkalk

Growing Areas

Franken

Eco Certifications
  • EU-Bio-Zertifizierung

VDP: What is so special about your winery?

Martin Steinmann: Our winery was founded in 1435 and produced the coronation wines of the German-Roman emperors for centuries! Our estate sparkling wines mature on the yeast in the spectacular historic vaulted cellar. We have been certified organic since 2011 and live organic diversity through the cultivation of 22 different grape varieties. We preserve, cultivate and propagate rare varieties, for example Blauer Silvaner, Bouquet and Gelber Orleans.

VDP: What is your winery philosophy?

Martin Steinmann: To produce ambassadors of terroir and the grape variety through sustainable cultivation.

VDP: To which wine style do you aspire?

Martin Steinmann: Our (sparkling) wines are highly aromatic and have pronounced terroir character. Each of our varieties has its strengths and justification – it is up to us to allow its expression!

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

Martin Steinmann: Our VDP.ERSTE LAGE® Sommerhausen Steinbach Silvaner dry. If you appreciate sparkling wine, I recommend our Le Grand Blanc!

“WE PRESERVE, CULTIVATE AND PROPAGATE RARE VARIETIES, FOR EXAMPLE BLAUER SILVANER, BOUQUET AND GELBER ORLEANS.”

VDP: Of which wine are you particularly proud?

Martin Steinmann: The list would go beyond the scope of this interview. It is the annual game to pick up the ball of nature and make the most of it...

VDP: Why did you become a vintner?

Martin Steinmann: The choice of career was never a conscious decision, but the logical consequence of a long-cherished desire to be able to follow in the footsteps of this wonderful profession. 

Sommerhäuser Steinbach
SILVANER
VDP.ERSTE LAGE®

VDP: Do you have role models, mentors?

Martin Steinmann: I had the privilege of spending my time in the Pfalz with Hans-Günter Schwarz. It is he who influenced and shaped me most!

VDP: What are your next goals?

Martin Steinmann: To successfully complete the construction of our new wine cellar in order to make our still and sparkling wines even better and more unique in the future!

VDP: How do you combine tradition and innovation?

Martin Steinmann: Tradition was innovation and innovation needs the essence of tradition! What proves to be good, is passed on, everything else disappears on its own...