Wineries
Winegrowers have been successfully cultivating wine in Schleswig-Holstein's vineyards since 2009 - despite the salty air, the strong winds and the well-known bad weather.
When you think of winegrowing, do you think of the vineyards on the Moselle and Rhine, the small, cozy wine shop in Tuscany or the many international wine labels in your trusted wine shop? But did you know that wine is also grown professionally in Schleswig-Holstein? Yes, you heard right! It all started when Rhineland-Palatinate transferred some of its unused planting rights - ten hectares of vineyards to be precise - to the northernmost federal state in 2009. The European Union has precise regulations on where and how much wine can be grown.
But that's not all. Legally speaking, Schleswig-Holstein's vineyards are not wine-growing areas, but are designated as Landwein areas. The wines produced may therefore only be marketed as country wine and not as quality wine. Nevertheless, the number of vines and the area of the country wine region in the true north grows by a few hectares every year, so that wine is now produced on an area of almost 30 hectares. By way of comparison: in Germany's other wine-growing regions, vines are grown on areas of between 450 and around 26,000 hectares. This makes Schleswig-Holstein one of the smaller wine-growing regions.
Wineries in Schleswig-Holstein
The first wineries in Schleswig-Holstein were Gut Montigny near Grebin and the Ingenhof Fruit and Wine Estate, which have been producing Schleswig-Holstein regional wine since 2009. There are now several wineries in Schleswig-Holstein. These are located on the North Sea islands of Sylt and Föhr, in Grebin and Malkwitz in Holstein Switzerland, and in Westensee and Bargteheide in the heart of Schleswig-Holstein.
Where: Malkwitz in Holstein Switzerland
The family-run Ingenhof is located in the heart of Holstein Switzerland and has been planting grapevines on the Gröndalberg since 2009. In addition, the Ingenhof grows strawberries and cultivates crops, and offers farm and vineyard tours as well as vacation rentals.
Where: Grebin in Holstein Switzerland
Winemaker Steffen James Montigny was one of the first to professionally cultivate grapes in the “real North” in 2009. Today, white and rosé wines are available under the name “So mookt wi dat,” made from grapes harvested in the vineyards of Holstein Switzerland.
Where: Nieblum on Föhr
At the Waalem Winery in Nieblum on the North Sea island of Föhr, you’ll find a wine-growing region unlike any other. With a fresh breeze of salty North Sea air and the mudflats right outside the door, the delicious Johanniter and Solaris grape varieties thrive here wonderfully.
Where: Keitum on Sylt
The Balthasar Ress Winery, located on the outskirts of the town of Keitum on the North Sea island of Sylt, is situated in the immediate vicinity of the Wadden Sea. The climate, with its many hours of sunshine (yes, you heard that right), provides ideal conditions for the Solaris and Rivaner grape varieties.
Where: Westensee in the Nature park Westensee
The certified organic vineyard at Gut Deutsch-Nienhof is located about 4 km from the estate, northeast of Lake Pohlsee. The vines grown here include Solaris, Rondo, and Cabernet Cortis. These red and white grapes are used to produce delicious wines under the name KROON 54° 15’, which are sold directly at the Deutsch-Nienhof estate.
Where: Bargteheide, just outside Hamburg
Since 2017, the vines have been cultivated using natural methods at the vineyard in the Stormarn district, and the grapes from the three white wine varieties have been diligently processed. The first wine from “Schatoh Feldmark” is scheduled to be released in 2020.
Wine Experiences in the Real North
How is wine grown in the “Real North”? Where is it produced? And most importantly: What does wine from Schleswig-Holstein taste like? You’ll learn all this and much more during a wine tasting, sampling, or guided tour at Schleswig-Holstein’s wineries.
How about, for example, a guided tour of the historic Ingenhof and its lush green vineyard? Enjoy the delicious wine and the view of the lakes and rolling countryside of Holstein Switzerland!
At the Waalem Winery on Föhr, you can take part in a public or private wine tour while surrounded by the Wadden Sea and the rugged North Sea climate. Alternatively, you can sample the delicious wine from the Balthasar Ress Winery in Keitum on the neighboring island of Sylt.
Did you know?
In 2015, the Solaris white wine from the SJ Montigny Winery in Grebin took second place at a tasting of wines made from fungus-resistant grape varieties and was honored by the State Institute of Viticulture in Freiburg.
By the way, this and other wines make wonderful souvenirs to bring back from your next vacation in Schleswig-Holstein! Schleswig-Holstein regional wines are available at the respective wineries and their on-site farm stores, as well as at regional supermarkets.
