Silvaner

VIVC lists Silvaner's parents as Savagnin and Österreichisch Weiß. VIVC records this pedigree as confirmed by markers, under the prime name Silvaner Gruen and variety number 11805. Its passport gives Austria as the country of origin, which makes Austria the grape's likely homeland. The passport also flags offspring, and WineWiki's VIVC-derived lineage data lists Portugieser and Rieslaner as children of Silvaner Gruen. The same data counts Chenin Blanc, Grüner Veltliner, Sauvignon Blanc and Verdejo among Silvaner's half-siblings.

• VIVC prime name: Silvaner Gruen; variety number 11805; berry colour: white
• Parents: Savagnin (Traminer) x Österreichisch Weiß, confirmed by DNA markers
• Country of origin: Austria (likely)
• Children in WineWiki's lineage data: Portugieser, Rieslaner
• Half-siblings include Chenin Blanc, Grüner Veltliner, Sauvignon Blanc and Verdejo

For years scientists puzzled over Silvaner's origin, and Transylvania was among the suggested homelands. Genetic studies show that Silvaner is a cross between Traminer, one of the oldest known grape varieties, and Österreichisch Weiß, which places its origin in the Alpine region. Its introduction from Austria to the historic Castell estate in Franken is well documented: on 6 April 1659 the first 25 Silvaner vines were planted on the Casteller Schlossberg as a trial. Word of its merits spread quickly, and Silvaner was the most widespread variety in Germany until the 1970s; Müller-Thurgau later took the crown from it. In Franken it grew from a welcome guest into a variety regarded as autochthonous and typically Franconian.

• First documented planting in Franken: 6 April 1659, 25 vines on the Casteller Schlossberg
• Genetically a cross of Traminer and Österreichisch Weiß, with its origin in the Alpine region
• Germany's most widespread variety until the 1970s
• In Franken it became a typically Franconian variety

Silvaner needs good sites: it ripens earlier than Riesling but later than Müller-Thurgau, and therefore needs rather better sites. In Franken, the region's flagship grape produces very special wines on shell limestone (Muschelkalk) and Keuper soils. Franken has the highest proportion of Silvaner of any German growing region, and Silvaner is its most planted variety. Franconian vineyards with names known around the world include the Würzburger Stein, Randersackerer Ewig Leben, Escherndorfer Lump and Iphöfer Julius Echter Berg, and Silvaner from the Würzburger Stein has a long-established reputation. Rheinhessen is the largest Silvaner region, with 1,932 hectares in DWI's 2022 figures. In Alsace, where the grape is called Sylvaner, the Zotzenberg in Mittelbergheim, over 36.45 hectares, is one of three exceptions to the Grand Cru grape rules, and Sylvaner is allowed there. In Switzerland's Valais it is known as Johannisberg and is the second most planted grape variety.

• Franken: 1,559 ha in DWI's 2022 figures; the highest proportion of Silvaner of any German region
• Rheinhessen: the largest Silvaner region, 1,932 ha in DWI's 2022 figures
• Alsace: Zotzenberg in Mittelbergheim (over 36.45 ha), where Sylvaner is allowed as one of three exceptions to the Grand Cru rule
• Valais, Switzerland: known as Johannisberg, the second most planted grape variety

Silvaner is a wine of discreet fragrance rather than flamboyance, and it reflects its terroir closely, combining earthy tones with delicate fruity aromas. Its characteristic fragrance recalls herbs, sometimes with the aroma of fresh hay. Franken Silvaners may not be the most aromatic wines, but they have a special, sometimes mineral, raciness and a very firm, full body. On heavy soils Silvaner can become full-bodied, with a certain opulence and a distinct aroma of ripe pears. Sources differ on its acidity: Jancis Robinson calls the wines high in acidity, while DWI describes its acidity as mild. In the right spots, such as particular sites in Franken and Rheinhessen, it makes racy, sometimes earthy wines that can age well.

• Aromas: herbs and fresh hay over earthy tones and delicate fruit; ripe pear on heavy soils
• Zotzenberg Grand Cru ages admirably well, adding notes of hazelnuts or fresh almonds
• Franken style: sometimes mineral raciness and very firm, full body
• Most at home in dry rather than fruitier styles

Silvaner is a high-yielding vine, notably more productive than Riesling, and quality measures in the vineyard produce polished and elegant wines in the higher quality grades. Silvaner can also make a well-developed, elegant and lively Grosses Gewächs.

• High-yielding with a medium ripening time
• Notably more productive than Riesling
• Vineyard quality measures give polished, elegant wines in the higher quality grades

Among the notable Silvaners Jancis Robinson lists are two from Franken: Horst Sauer's Escherndorfer Lump Silvaner Spätlese trocken and Juliusspital's Würzburger Stein Silvaner trocken. Both come from Franconian vineyards whose names are known around the world, the Escherndorfer Lump and the Würzburger Stein. Juliusspital, also in Würzburg, is a foundation established by Julius Echter von Mespelbrunn, and the foundation stone of its hospital was laid in 1576. The Bürgerspital zum Heiligen Geist, a Würzburg foundation dating to 1316, runs a VDP wine estate of 120 hectares that grows classics such as Silvaner, Riesling and Burgunder, and the Stein-Harfe, a VDP Grosse Lage within the Würzburger Stein, is its monopole. In Iphofen, the Hans Wirsching estate has grown wine since 1630, and it uses the Kammer site name only for its Silvaner and Riesling Grosse Gewächse. Winzerhof Stahl in Auernhofen, between Würzburg and Rothenburg ob der Tauber, has been in the Stahl family since 1814, and Silvaner is one of its main grape varieties. In Alsace, Domaine Gilg in Mittelbergheim, an organically certified family estate, makes a Sylvaner Grand Cru Zotzenberg.

• Horst Sauer (Franken): Escherndorfer Lump Silvaner Spätlese trocken
• Juliusspital (Franken): Würzburger Stein Silvaner trocken
• Juliusspital (Würzburg): foundation established by Julius Echter von Mespelbrunn; hospital foundation stone laid in 1576
• Bürgerspital zum Heiligen Geist (Würzburg): foundation dating to 1316; VDP estate of 120 ha; Stein-Harfe monopole
• Hans Wirsching (Iphofen): winegrowing since 1630; Kammer name used only for Silvaner and Riesling Grosse Gewächse
• Winzerhof Stahl (Auernhofen): in the Stahl family since 1814
• Domaine Gilg (Mittelbergheim, Alsace): Sylvaner Grand Cru Zotzenberg

Franken Silvaner's discreet aromatics and balanced acidity make it an ideal partner for good food: easy to drink and never dominating the dishes. In spring it suits asparagus dishes perfectly, and in Rheinhessen, drinking Silvaner with the new season's asparagus is a local tradition. It also goes very well with fish, and in autumn it holds its own with game. Fuller Silvaner from heavy soils is a welcome partner for more substantial dishes.

Primary sources: https://www.vivc.de/index.php?r=passport%2Fview&id=11805 ; https://www.vivc.de/index.php?var=11805&r=eva-analysis-mikrosatelliten-abstammungen%2Findex ; https://franken-silvanerheimat.de/silvaner-in-franken/ ; https://www.franken-silvanerheimat.de/ ; https://www.winesofgermany.com/our-wine/grape-varieties/grape-variety/108/silvaner ; https://www.vinsalsace.com/en/grands-crus/zotzenberg/ ; https://www.vinsalsace.com/en/gouts-et-couleurs/aoc/aoc-alsace-grands-crus/ ; https://www.buergerspital.de/ ; https://www.buergerspital.de/weingut/index.html ; https://www.buergerspital.de/weingut/weine/index.html ; https://www.juliusspital.de/ueber-uns/geschichte/index.html ; https://www.juliusspital.de/familie2/weingut/index.html ; https://www.wirsching.de/ ; https://www.wirsching.de/lagen/ ; https://www.winzerhof-stahl.de/ ; https://www.domaine-gilg.com/fr/accueil/ ; https://www.domaine-gilg.com/fr/sylvaner-zotzenberg/ Reference sources: https://www.jancisrobinson.com/learn/grape-varieties/white/silvaner ; https://www.jancisrobinson.com/learn/grape-varieties/white/sylvaner Last verified 2026-10-20