The Falstaff WeinGuide Deutschland 2025 was released in November 2024. The Falstaff WeinGuide Deutschland is one of the 5 leading wine guides in Germany, along with the Feinschmecker, Gault & Millau, Vinum and Eichelmann wine guides.

Picture: Falstaff WeinGuide Deutschland 2025

The Falstaff WeinGuide Deutschland 2024 lists and evaluates about 500 wine producers and 4,000 wines. The best of the best are awarded five stars (out of five). Wines are rated according to the 100-point system.

Germany's 35 Top Winemakers (With 5/5 Stars) - Falstaff WeinGuide Deutschland 2025

Except for 2 producers, we have visited all 5-star producers on a recent ombiasy wine tour with Annette Schiller.

See: Germany's 35 Top Winemakers (With 5/5 Stars) - Falstaff WeinGuide Deutschland 2025

Awards - Falstaff WeinGuide Deutschland 2025

Sekterzeuger des Jahres/ Sekt Producer of the Year: Griesel Sekt, Bensheim (Hessische Bergstraße)

Pictures: Traditional Hand Riddling and Modern Gyro-palate Machines at Geisel. See: Ultra-premium Sekt: Cellar Tour and Tasting at Griesel&Compagnie, Sekthaus Streit, Bensheim, with Winemaker Rachele Crosara - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

Kollektion des Jahres/ Collection of the Year: Graf Neipperg, Schwaigern (Württemberg) Graf von Neipperg

Weingut des Grafen Neipperg
32 hectares
33% Lemberger, 24% Riesling

Pictures: Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Graf Neipperg in Schwaigern, Württemberg– Germany-East Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Pictures: Gert Aldinger, Weingut Aldinger, Karl Eugen Erbgraf zu Neipperg, Weingut Des Grafen Neipperg and Annette Schiller See: 2017 VDP Trade Fair Weinbörse - Vintage 2016 - in Mainz: Schiller’s Report

Sommelière des Jahres/ Sommelière of the Year: Melanie Wagner, Schwarzer Adler, Oberbergen (Baden)

Pictures: Choosing the Wines with Sommelière Melanie Wagner at Restaurant Schwarzer Adler in Oberbergen, Kaiserstuhl, Baden, with Maitre de Hotel Hubert Pfingstag (who is from Alsace). See: Wine Paring Lunch at Restaurant Schwarzer Adler (1 Star Michelin) in Oberbergen, Kaiserstuhl, Baden– Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Newcomer des Jahres/ Newcomer of the Year: Jonas Kurek, Nonnenhorn (bayerischer Bodensee)

Winzer des Jahres/ Winemaker of the Year: Günther Jauch und Swen Klinger, Weingut von Othegraven, Kanzem (Saar)

Pictures: Annette Schiller, Christian Ress and Gunther Jauch. See: A Riesling Feast in an Historic Setting: Riesling Gala 2016 at Kloster Eberbach in the Rheingau, Germany

Lebenswerk/ Lifetime Achievement: Robert Haller, Weingut Bürgerspital, Würzburg (Franken)

Bürgerspital

The first vineyards of the Bürgerspital were planted in the 1300s and served to supply the Bürgerspital’s own needs. It is reported that in 1598, the residents of the old people's home were provided with a tankard - 1.22 litres - of wine. Today, the vineyard area of Weingut Bürgerspital totals 120 hectares, of which about 80 hectares are located in Würzburg.

Sites: Würzburger Stein, Würzburger Stein-Harfe, Würzburger Innere Leiste, Würzburger Pfaffenberg, Würzburger Abtsleite, Randersackerer Teufelskeller, Randersackerer Pfülben, Randersackerer Marsberg, Veitshöchheimer Sonnenschein.

Picture: Würzburger Stein

In Bürgerspital's old "Pfründner" cellar, there are modern stainless-steel tanks where the wines ferment temperature-controlled. In the adjacent vaults is one of Germany's biggest wooden barrel cellars: 200 valuable oak barrels, some of them adorned with precious carvings were used for cultivating wine hundreds of years ago. There is space for four annual harvests in the cellars.

The iconic Bürgerspital tavern -- with its 10 rustically furnished rooms and a retail store -- is in a wing of this institution. The food is regional and the wines are those of Weingut Bürgerspital. The last time I ate their I had steak tartare.