Würzburger Stein

Popular name for single vineyard sites in German-speaking countries, especially in Germany. The name probably refers to a stony vineyard soil.

Würzburg (Maindreieck area) in Franconia

This single vineyard is certainly the most famous and best-known vineyard called Stein. Wines from the legendary "Würzburger Stein" have been known for many centuries under the name "Steinwein". Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) loved this wine. In this regard, he wrote to his wife Christiane: "No other wine will taste good to me and I am annoyed when I am deprived of my favourite drink". However, he did not mention any grape variety, so it could have been a Silvaner or a Riesling, but theoretically also another variety.

Vintage 1540

A sweet Würzburger Stein from the 1540 vintage was probably the oldest wine ever drunk and drinkable. The year was so exceptionally hot that the Rhine dried up and could be crossed on foot. The wine was made from overripe grapes, kept in a barrel for a very long time and only bottled in the 17th century. The last of these were owned by King Ludwig I of Bavaria (1786-1868). The London wine merchant Ehrmann bought them at auction, and one of these bottles containing the then 421-year-old wine was served to a select circle of wine connoisseurs in London in 1961, including the journalist Hugh Johnson.

As an introduction, a Rüdesheimer from 1857 and a Johannisberger from 1820 were opened, both wines were...