A. Christmann Winery
1. Summary
The A. Christmann Winery in Gimmeldingen (Palatinate) is one of Germany’s classic Grand Cru estates and ranks among the very best producers of German Riesling and Pinot Noir. Under the management of Steffen Christmann (7th generation) and his daughter Sophie, the estate has been run biodynamically since 2004 and focuses, with uncompromising consistency, exclusively on the finest vineyards in the Palatinate.
2. History
The estate’s roots date backto 1798. It was founded in 1845 by the cousins Johann Martin and Prof. Dr Louis Häusser. The name Christmann came into use following the marriage of the founders’ granddaughter, Henriette Häusser, to Eduard Christmann in 1894. Their second son, Arnold, eventually gave the estate the name A. Christmann, which it still bears today .
Since 1996, Steffen Christmann has been running the winery as the seventh generation of the family . His daughter Sophie, a graduate of the Viticulture and Oenology programme in Geisenheim, joined the business in2018 and has been in charge of the Pinot Noir division ever since.
3. Philosophy & Range
Steffen Christmann is driven by an unwavering commitment to clarity and simplicity:
Grape varieties: limited to Riesling, Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc
Vineyards: Exclusively VDP.GROSE LAGEN and VDP.ERSTE LAGEN – estates that do not meet this classification have been systematically divested (a reduction of one third)
Range: No more estate or local wines; below the single-vineyard wines, there is now only one cuvée per grape variety: ‘Aus den Lagen’
4. The Great Sites
The estate cultivates five VDP.GROSE LAGEN, including, as its crown jewel, the Königsbacher Idig – a vineyard first documented as far back as the 14th century and ownedexclusively by the estate . Other significant vineyards include the Gimmeldinger Meerspinne, the Neustadter Vogelsang and the Königsbacher Ölberg-Hart.
The vineyards are situated in the southern, cooler part of the Mittelhaardt – close to woodland and with calcareous soils that lend the wines a distinct minerality and freshness.
5. Biodynamics & Cellar Work
The transition to biodynamic viticulture took place from 2001 and 2004 respectively – driven by the conviction that great terroir must live in harmony with its environment. Winemaking is characterised by finesse and purism:
No extended maceration
Fermentation at comparatively higher temperatures
No malolactic fermentation
6. Ratings & Recognition
A. Christmann’s wines are regularlyranked amongst Germany’s finest dry Rieslings and are featured in all the major wine guides (Gault Millau, Eichelmann, Meininger). Current Falstaff ratings:
| Wine | Vintage | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Königsbach Idig Riesling GG | 2020 | 94 |
| Königsbach Idig Riesling GG | 2019 | 94 |
| Königsbach Idif Riesling | 2024 | 96 |
| Königsbach Ölberg-Hart Riesling GG | 2020 | 92+ |
7. Steffen Christmann – VDP President
Steffen Christmann has been President of the Association of German Prädikat Wine Estates (VDP) since 2007 and is regarded as one of Germany’s most renowned Riesling winegrowers and figures in the wine world. He played a key role in the introduction of the Grosses Gewächs classification.
8. Conclusion
The A. Christmann winery stands for an uncompromising focus on terroir, biodynamic excellence and stylistic clarity. The focus on the very best vineyards, the restriction to three grape varieties and the distinctive style of Steffen and Sophie Christmann make these wines icons of the Palatinate – mineral, full of finesse and with impressive ageing potential.
For collectors and connoisseurs: anyone wishing to experience the essence of the Pfalz’s Mittelhaardt in its purest form cannot afford to overlook A. Christmann. The Idig Rieslings are among the very best that German viticulture has to offer.
Contents: 0.75 Liter (€132.00* / 1 Liter)
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Contents: 0.75 Liter (€132.00* / 1 Liter)
Contents: 1.5 Liter (€163.33* / 1 Liter)
Contents: 1.5 Liter (€150.00* / 1 Liter)
Contents: 1.5 Liter (€163.33* / 1 Liter)
Contents: 1.5 Liter (€163.33* / 1 Liter)
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Contents: 3 Liter (€131.67* / 1 Liter)
Contents: 1.5 Liter (€116.67* / 1 Liter)
Contents: 1.5 Liter (€266.00* / 1 Liter)
Contents: 3 Liter (€98.33* / 1 Liter)
Contents: 1.5 Liter (€76.67* / 1 Liter)
Contents: 0.75 Liter (€86.67* / 1 Liter)
Contents: 1.5 Liter (€76.67* / 1 Liter)
Contents: 0.75 Liter (€19.87* / 1 Liter)
Contents: 0.75 Liter (€78.67* / 1 Liter)
Contents: 1.5 Liter (€76.67* / 1 Liter)
Contents: 0.375 Liter (€157.33* / 1 Liter)
Contents: 0.375 Liter (€344.00* / 1 Liter)
Contents: 0.375 Liter (€344.00* / 1 Liter)