Margrave of Baden

The Markgraf von Baden winery can look back on a long history that is closely linked to the identity of the region. Its growing areas extend across two locations in Baden: Ortenau with Staufenberg Castle and the region around Lake Constance with Salem Castle . The vineyard area of the entire winery most recently totalled around 100 to 115 hectares, most of which was located on Lake Constance.

📜 Deeply rooted in the land of Baden

The history of the winery is inextricably linked to that of the House of Baden, which played a key role in shaping the development of viticulture in the region. Milestones in this history include

First wine laws: Margrave Christoph I issued Baden's first wine law as early as 1494.
Birth of the Klingelberger: Margrave Carl Friedrich had Riesling cultivated as a single variety for the first time on the Klingelberg in Durbach in 1782. This wine is still known today as "Klingelberger".
Brand and name: The family of margraves gave their name to the entire state of Baden, which emphasises the unique connection between the winery and the region.

The winery is also a member of the renowned Association of German Prädikat Wine Estates (VDP), of which it has been a member since 2012 .

🍇 Two locations, two wine styles

The winery has two cellar locations, each of which produces characteristic wines due to their different soils and locations:

Salem Castle (Lake Constance): Here, predominantly elegant, fresh white wines are pressed. The focus is on the Müller-Thurgau grape variety , as well as Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc, which thrive on the glacial moraine soils .
Schloss Staufenberg (Ortenau): This location is known for its mineral Rieslings (Klingelberger) and stronger Pinot Noirs, which grow on granite weathered soils .

🌿 An uncertain future: upheaval and new beginnings

The winery is currently undergoing a period of profound transformation. For economic reasons, the decision was made to drastically reduce viticulture on Lake Constance:

Clearance at Lake Constance: In 2024, it was announced that around 60 hectares of vines at Lake Constance would be cleared.
New use: In future, spelt, sunflowers, wheat and soya are to be grown on these areas .
Discontinuation of the wine line: The "Markgraf von Baden" wine line of the same name is to be discontinued with the 2024 vintage .
Remaining area: In future, the winery will concentrate on the remaining vineyard area of around 23 hectares at the Schloss Staufenberg site in Ortenau, which will remain in the VDP .
Cooperation in the supermarket segment: The "Markgräflich Badische Weinhaus" joint venture with Rotkäppchen-Mumm Sektkellerei was founded back in 2017, through which wines under the "Bodensee" and "1112" brands are primarily sold in food retailers .