Würzburger Stein

Würzburger Stein sits within the Maindreieck appellation of Franconia (Franken), Germany, on a hill directly overlooking the Main River. The vineyard sits at 210-250 metres above sea level and takes its name from the German word for stone, a direct reference to its rocky shell limestone soils. The site's concave, shell-shaped valley formation creates a natural amphitheatre effect, while a ridge to the north and east shields the vines from cold winds. Slope gradients range from 30 to 80 percent, ensuring excellent sun exposure and heat retention.

• South-facing, concave slope captures maximum solar radiation throughout the growing season
• Ridge formation provides natural protection from cold north and easterly winds
• Continental climate with Mediterranean influence makes this one of Franconia's warmest sites
• Elevation of 210-250 metres above sea level

The vineyard's defining characteristic is its shell limestone bedrock, layered with loam and clay. This rocky, well-drained substrate forces vine roots deep in search of water and nutrients, contributing to the pronounced mineral character that defines Steinwein. The climate is continental with a Mediterranean influence, producing warm, long growing seasons that allow Silvaner and Riesling to ripen fully. Würzburger Stein is consistently one of the warmest sites in all of Franconia.

• Shell limestone (Muschelkalk) bedrock is the primary soil parent material
• Loam and clay layers provide moisture retention within the well-drained limestone profile
• Warm continental climate with Mediterranean influence extends the growing season
• Rocky substrate and steep slopes combine to produce intense, mineral-forward wines

Silvaner and Riesling are the two varieties grown at Würzburger Stein. The first recorded Silvaner plantings at the site date to 1665, and the grape remains central to its identity. Würzburger Stein is also notable as one of the few locations in Franconia where Riesling is widely cultivated. Today, the focus is on dry whites with a mineral, complex character. Historically, the site was famous for sweet wines sold under the name Steinwein, a term once used broadly for Franconian wine.

• Silvaner has been documented at the site since 1665
• Riesling is unusual for Franconia; Würzburger Stein is one of the region's key Riesling sites
• Modern style is dry and mineral-forward; historical style leaned sweet
• The name Steinwein was historically applied to wines from this site and later to Franconian wines broadly

Viticulture at Würzburger Stein is documented from at least 779 AD, placing it among Germany's oldest continuously farmed vineyard sites. The site declined between the 16th and 19th centuries due to wars, phylloxera, and shifting consumer tastes before recovering its prestige in the modern era. The most celebrated chapter in its history involves the 1540 vintage, tasted in 1961 at 421 years old and described as Madeira-like. The poet and statesman Goethe counted Steinwein among his favourite wines. Today, ownership of the vineyard is divided primarily among three historic charitable estates: Bürgerspital zum Heiligen Geist, Juliusspital Würzburg, and Staatlicher Hofkeller.

• First documented viticultural records date to 779 AD
• The 1540 vintage was tasted in 1961, at 421 years of age, and described as Madeira-like
• Goethe publicly praised Steinwein as one of his favourite wines
• Three charitable estates, Bürgerspital, Juliusspital, and Staatlicher Hofkeller, hold the majority of the vineyard

Würzburger Stein holds VDP.GROSSE LAGE status, the German wine classification equivalent to Grand Cru, within the VDP (Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter) system. It also carries VDP.ERSTE LAGE classification. The site falls within the Maindreieck appellation, which is itself part of the broader Franconia wine region. At 85 hectares, it is one of Germany's largest individual vineyard plots to hold Grosse Lage status.

• VDP.GROSSE LAGE is the highest tier in the VDP classification system, comparable to Grand Cru
• Also classified as VDP.ERSTE LAGE (Premier Cru equivalent)
• Falls within the Maindreieck appellation inside Franconia (Franken)
• At 85 hectares, it is among Germany's largest single vineyard plots