The Vinum Weinguide Deutschland 2025 was released recently, presenting Vinum's choice of Germany’s best 1,000 wine producers and reviewing more than 10,500 wines on 1,080 pages.

5 out of 5 stars („world class“) was awarded to 26 estates. In addition, there are 36 estates with 4.5 stars, and 77 estates with 4 stars.

Top Winemaker in the Mosel Region and ombiasy WineTours

In the Pfalz region, there are 5 producers with 5 stars and there is 1 producer with 4.5 stars in the Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland/ Germany 2025.

Annette Schiller, ombiasy WineTours, and I have met 3 of these 5 producers at various occasions over the past years, often at their estate during a Germany wine tour by ombiasy WineTours, which is owned and run by Annette Schiller and based in Washington DC, USA.

Pfalz

(London Wine Competition)

Palatinate is the second-largest of the 13 German wine regions. Prior to the early 1990s, it was known officially as Rhine Palatinate. The wine region of Palatinate and the federal state of Palatinate overlap, but the wine region accounts for only 5% of the total area of the much larger federal state. The region of Palatinate consists of an 80-kilometer stretch of wine growing land.

Overall, 45 different types of white grapes and 22 different types of red grapes are grown in Palatinate. The mix between white wine varietals and red wine varietals is 61/39. By far, the most popular varietal is Riesling, which accounts for 23.2% of all wine produced in Palatinate. In addition, Dornfelder (13.5%), Müller-Thurgau (9.8%), Blauer-Portugieser (9.3%) , and Spatburgunder (6.8%) are popular wine varieties.

Wine grapes have been grown in Palatinate since the ancient Roman era. In fact, some Roman landhouses having been discovered in the region. It is only since the 1980s, however, that Palatinate has started to appear on the radar of international wine enthusiasts.

In terms of climate, Palatinate is known as one of the warmest, driest and sunniest German wine regions. By way of comparison, the local microclimate is similar to Alsace in France (located to the south) and Baden in Germany (located to the east).

A popular wine drink in Palatinate consists of local wines mixed with sparkling water to form “schorle.” This wine drink is typically consumed in a special glass known as the dubbeglas that hold either 1/2-liter or 1/4-liter of liquid. Each wine-producing city or village in Palatinate typically hosts a wine festival each year, where both wine and “schorle” are consumed.

Visiting Pfalz Producers

Bürklin Wolf

Pictures: Hauskonzert - Sunday Morning Concert - at Weingut Dr. Bürklin-Wolf with Annette Schiller and Bettina Bürklin-von Guradze and a 150 years old Steinway Concert Piano. See: Impromptu Tasting at Weinbar & Vinothek Weingut Dr. Bürklin-Wolf in Deidsheim, with Managing Director Steffen Brahner - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

Pictures: Germany-South and Alsace 2022 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Christmann

Pictures: At Weigut A. Christmann - Harvest Time. See: Winery Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut A. Christmann, with Steffen Christmann– Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)

Pictures: Tour and Tasting at Weingut A. Christmann in Gimmeldingen, Pfalz, with Steffen Christmann– Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), Germany

Knipser

Picture: Stephan Knipser, Weingut Knipser, Sebastion Fürst, Weingut Fürst and Christian Schiller in Mainz. See: Germany’s Best Winemakers and Wines – Vinum WeinGuide Deutschland 2018 Awards: The Award Ceremony in Mainz, Germany

Ökonomierat Rebholz

Pictures: After-party (Following a Formal Tasting with Hans Rebholz, Weingut Oekonomierat Rebholz at the German Embassy in Washington DC) with Hans Rebholz at the Schiller Residence in McLean, Virginia, USA (January 2025)

Pictures: Hans Rebholz, Weingut Oekonomierat Rebholz, Pfalz, Presenting his Wines at the German Embassy in Washington DC, USA (January 2025)

Pictures: Germany-South and Alsace 2022 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Picture: In the Cellar of Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz, Siebeldingen, Pfalz, with Hansjörg and Valentin Rebholz. See: Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz in Siebeldingen, Pfalz, with Hansjörg and Valentin Rebholz and Sabine Wagner - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Picture: The Table of Hannsjörg Rebholz, Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz, Pfalz, at the Gala Dinner of the Rieslingfeier 2016 in New York City, with Annette Schiller, David Schildknecht and Hannsjörg Rebholz. See: A German Riesling Feast in New York City: Rieslingfeier 2016, USA

Picture: Annette and Christian Schiller with Hansjörg and Birgit Rebholz at Prowein 2015 in Düsseldorf

Pictures: Tasting at Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz in Siebeldingen, Pfalz, with Hansjörg Rebholz. See: Tasting at Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz in Siebeldingen, Pfalz – Germany-South by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Rings