The fact that Rainer Schnaitmann gave up studying architecture in the 1980s to learn viticulture can be classified as a stroke of luck for the region around the Rems Valley near Stuttgart and must be classified as a stroke of luck for us as wine lovers. 19 Schnaitmann generations are documented in the Fellbach church records, many of them winegrowers. But it was not until 1997 that the first vintage appeared under its own name.
Before he took over the winery, Rainer Schnaitmann completed an apprenticeship in the Rems Valley and studied in Geisenheim. Then 3 hectares were leased from his father and the first vinification took place in a converted barn. The first successes came early: inclusion in the "Gault Millau", awards, and in 2006 admission to the VDP as the youngest winery at the time.
To date, the vineyard area has grown to 26 ha. The six fully organically farmed vineyards are strongly characterised by gypsum keuper, have slopes of up to 70 % and have extraordinarily diverse terroirs, which Rainer makes use of for a wide range of varieties. The Schnaitmann portfolio includes Lemberger, Trollinger, Merlot, Riesling, Chardonnay and its relatives Grauburgunder and Weißburgunder as well as Gewürztraminer. In the case of Sauvignon Blanc, he was one of the first in Germany to take a close look at the variety.
© Images: Rainer Schnaitmann Winery
