Markus Schneider Winery

Markus Schneider was just 19 when the first vintage with his name on the label appeared in 1994. Since then, he has expanded his father's winery in Ellerstadt from 1 hectare to 92 hectares of vineyards, established his own path as a "young savage" with creativity and courage and has positioned his wines as internationally successful brands to this day.

The names Ursprung, Black Print or Tohuwabohu stand for a new style of marketing, but also for the initially unusual mix of typical Palatinate and international grape varieties.

The area under cultivation is divided 50/50 between red and white grape varieties. These include Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier as well as Pinot Noir, Merlot, Blaufränkisch, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Blauer Portugieser.

The vineyards stretch from Ellerstadt to the Haardt hills. The vastness of the growing area offers decisive advantages: While summer temperatures of up to 38 °C drive the grapes to physiological ripeness in the valley, everything progresses very slowly on the edge of the Haardt with its early shading, cool soils and winds.

Each plot is cultivated individually. Markus Schneider and his team attach great importance to a gentle working method. This includes not using herbicides, insecticides and artificial fertilisers. Careful under-vine cultivation, the use of purely organic fertilisers and the sowing of various grasses and herbs to strengthen the vineyard are characteristic.

Images: Markus Schneider Winery