Eichelsbacher

The German viticulture expert Dr. Heinz-Martin Eichelsbacher (1924-2003) studied agriculture at the TH München-Weihenstephan. In 1953 he became a member of staff in the vine breeding department of the Bavarian State Institute and in 1954 technical director of the Staatlicher Hofkeller Würzburg, which he took over in 1969. In 1957 he received his doctorate on the subject of "A genetic-breeding comparison of the Vinifera varieties Silvaner, Riesling and Müller-Thurgau". Already at that time he had doubts about the paternity of the Silvaner in the Müller-Thurgau, and suspected that the variety originated from the Riesling-Muscatel-Gutedel form. His assumption was then impressively confirmed some 40 years later. Eichelsbacher had a decisive influence on the development of the Würzburg State Winery, with 11 wineries and 120 hectares of vineyards in Franconia, into a commercially managed business and had a decisive influence on its development. He worked as a teacher at the technical school for viticulture in Veitshöchheim and passed on his extensive knowledge in many publications and technical articles. In 1987, he was appointed Executive Director of Agriculture and Deputy Director of the Bavarian State Institute for Viticulture and Horticulture. His work "Vom königlichen Hofkeller zum Staatsweingut" (From the Royal Court Cellar to the State Winery) is a standard reading in viticulture.