The Estate
The Alte Grafschaft estate, steeped in a fascinating history, has endured through the ages. For more than four centuries, our walls have borne witness to the highs and lows of the wine world. Founded by a renowed wine merchant from Wertheim, the estate grew under the patronage of the Wertheim nobility until it finally reached its current size. In 2010, the estate returned to the hands of a dedicated wine trading family from Wertheim and has been run in co-operation with a family of winemakers from Champagne since 2023.
based
Based in Kreuzwertheim and with plots in Baden and Franconia, Alte Grafschaft covers an area of 14 hectares and is divided into five vineyards: Satzenberg, Kaffelstein, Ebenrain, Sonnenberg and First.
Exclusively dedicated to dry wines, the estate relies on the richness of its terroirs to explore the full potential of Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Silvaner, and Pinot Noir grape varieties.
the families
The Spielmann family has been running their wine trading company since 1932, which was founded in Wertheim and remain based there today. Over the generations, the core business has shifted away from buying wine in barrels and bottling towards a trading business focussing on French Wines. This also how two families Spielmann and Legras, met. The two familieshave been working together for almost 30 years now and the relationship has grown far beyond the business, when the opportunity finally arose for Jérôme Legras to take a stake in the Alte Grafscahft Estate in 2023, he didn’t hesitate.
“I felt in love with Alte Grafschaft at first sight when Norbert Spielmann and Christoph Dinkel bought it over ten years ago. They made me realise the need to maintain viticulture on these heroic plots. Norbert and I, with the help of Julius Spielmann, want to prepare this great vineyard for the next generations”
– Jérôme Legras
The winemaker
I want to produce wines that preserve the uniqueness of each vintage, the character our our vineyards and the microclimate of our cellar. For me, wine is a kind of liquid memory that preserves the work of the entire winery team and the special characteristics of each vintage.
A Winemaking Passion
Even as a small child, I wanted to become a winemaker. The greatest fascination for me is to see how the wines evolves over time. The wine never age, they continue to develop anc change their personality and flavour in the bottle and later in the glass. Even after my training as a winemaker and my four-year degree in international wine business, the magic of wines remains the same for me.
My Winemaking style
If I had to describe my influence on my winemaking style, I would say that I patiently wait for the right moment to move the wine and trust the aging process. If there is one thing I have learnt about winemaking on recent years, it is that you do not know anything about the complex processes that go on inside the wine. It is like predicting the weather for the next year. For me, the key factors are a perfect healthy grape and a very strict and careful selection during the harvest. The rest is trust in the terroir and the microclimate of our cellar.
our wines
VINEYARD SHORTCUT ON THE NEW LABELS
SNB - SONNENBERG
FST - FIRST
SZB - SATZENBERG
KFS - KAFFELSTEIN
EBR - EBENRAIN
wertheim
Alter Satz
2022
Vintage
Appellation
Tauberfranken, Wertheim (Baden)
Vineyard
Village Blend (SNB)
Grape Variety
Müller-Thurgau, Kerner, Silvaner
Shell Limestone, Pink Sandstone
Soil
12,5 %Vol.
Alcohol
Sugar
1,1 g/L
Acidity
~22 months in stainless steel, ~12 months on the lees, spontaneous fermentation.
Elevage
6,0 g/L equiv. Tartaric Acid
05/2024
Bottled
EAN
4260207941551
Winemaker Note
Wertheim Alter Satz focuses more on soil and élevage than on grape varieties, capturing the essence of what makes our wines unique. The soil, 50% pink sandstone and 50% shell limestone, gives the wines their herbal character and a mineral lift. Combined with the long élevage, allowing our cellar’s microclimate to shape the wine, this process creates the distinctive Alte Grafschaft style.
My go-to pairing: Sushi.
Nutrition
Digital Label
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wertheim
Silvaner
2023
Vintage
Appellation
Tauberfranken, Wertheim (Baden)
Vineyard
Village Blend (SNB)
Grape Variety
Silvaner
Shell Limestone, Pink Sandstone
Soil
%Vol.
Alcohol
Sugar
g/L
Acidity
g/L equiv. Tartaric Acid
Elevage
/2025
Bottled
EAN
Winemaker Note
coming soon
Link
Nutrition
Digital Label
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White Scenaric1 Scenaric2
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wertheim
Riesling
2022
Vintage
Appellation
Tauberfranken, Wertheim (Baden)
Vineyard
SZB (Satzenberg declassification)
Grape Variety
Riesling
Pink Sandstone
Soil
12,5 %Vol.
Alcohol
Sugar
1,0 g/L
Acidity
31 months in stainless steel, spontaneous fermentation in Oak Barrels.
Elevage
5,9 g/L equiv. Tartaric Acid
04/2025
Bottled
EAN
4260207941582
Winemaker Note
Wertheim Riesling showcases citrus zest, lime juice, and ripe apricot, balanced by a smooth, refreshing acidic backbone. The wine’s complexity is further enhanced by aromas of thyme and dost (German oregano), reflecting the pink sandstone of the region. This creates a beautifully harmonious and terroir-driven expression of Riesling, unique to our area.
My go-to pairing: Brinjal Curry.
Nutrition
Digital Label
PaCkshoot
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Vintage: 2022
Appellation: Tauberfranken, Wertheim (Baden)
Vineyard: Sonnenberg
Grape Variety: Riesling
Soil: Shell Limestone, Pink Sandstone
Alcohol: 11,5%Vol.
Sugar: 2,7 g/L
Acidity: 7,1 g/L equiv. Tartaric Acid
Bottled: 04/2024
Elevage: 19 months in stainless steel, 12 months on the lees, spontaneous fermantation.
EAN: 4260207941391
wertheim
Pinot Blanc
2022
Vintage
Appellation
Tauberfranken, Wertheim (Baden)
Vineyard
SZB (Satzenberg declassification)
Grape Variety
Pinot Blanc
Pink Sandstone
Soil
13,0 %Vol.
Alcohol
Sugar
1,1 g/L
Acidity
19 months in stainless steel, 12 months on the lees, spontaneous fermentation.
Elevage
5,4 g/L equiv. Tartaric Acid
05/2024
Bottled
EAN
4260207941452
Winemaker Note
Wertheim Pinto Blanc, currently made from 100% Satzenberg, offers a pure inox expression of the terroir. It’s more focused and less opulent compared to its Grand Cru counterpart, yet it still vividly reflects the unique terroir. The wine showcases a wealth of herbal aromas, ranging from thyme and sage to hazelnut and nectarine, all of which capture the essence of the plot.
My go-to Pairing: A wild herb salad with a green oat burger.
Nutrition
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wertheim
Pinot Noir
2022
Vintage
Appellation
Tauberfranken, Wertheim (Baden)
Vineyard
EBR (Ebenrain declassification)
Grape Variety
Pinot Noir
Shell Limestone
Soil
13,5 %Vol.
Alcohol
Sugar
0,1 g/L
Acidity
24 month in french oak barriques, spontaneous fermentation, unfiltered
Elevage
5,7 g/L equiv. Tartaric Acid
05/2025
Bottled
EAN
4260207941629
Winemaker Note
Wertheim Pinot Noir, made from 100% declassified Ebenrain barrels, reflects the shell limestone soil of our region. For Pinot Noir, this enhances the aromatic profile while refining the powerful mouthfeel. By using only second- and third-fill oak barriques, the wine is notably smoother in its early years, making it even more charming and approachable right away.
My go-to pairing: Roulades with red cabbage.
Nutrition
Digital Label
PaCkshoot
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Vintage: 2021
Appellation: Tauberfranken, Wertheim (Baden)
Vineyard: EBR (Ebenrain)
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Soil: Shell Limestone
Alcohol: 13,0%Vol.
Sugar: 0,0 g/L
Acidity: 5,0 g/L equiv. Tartaric Acid
Bottled: 04/2024
Elevage: 24 months in french oak Barrique, spontaneous fermentation, unfiltered
EAN: 4260207941384
Kreuzwertheim
Pinot Noir
2021
Vintage
Appellation
Franken, Kreuzwertheim
Vineyard
KFS (Kaffelstein declassification)
Grape Variety
Pinot Noir
Pink Sandstone
Soil
13,5 %Vol.
Alcohol
Sugar
0,2 g/L
Acidity
24 Month in french oak barriques, spontaneous fermentation, unfiltered
Elevage
5,7 g/L equiv. Tartaric Acid
05/2024
Bottled
EAN
4260207941414
Winemaker Note
With Kaffelstein being our only vineyard in the appellation of Franken, Kreuzwertheim Pinot Noir will always be 100% declassified from this Grand Cru plot. For this reason, it will not be available every vintage. In terms of aroma profile, it leans toward dark berry notes, like blackberry, black currant, and elderberry. These are beautifully complemented by wild herbs and subtle woody undertones.
My go-to pairing: Wild boar with potato dumplings and brown sauce.
Nutrition
Digital Label
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Satzenberg
Pinot Blanc
2022
Vintage
Appellation
Tauberfranken, Wertheim (Baden)
Vineyard
Satzenberg
Grape Variety
Pinot Blanc
Pink Sandstone
Soil
13,5 %Vol.
Alcohol
Sugar
4,2 g/L
Acidity
12 month in french oak Tonneaux on the lees, spontaneous fermentation, unfiltered
Elevage
5,1 g/L equiv. Tartaric Acid
06/2024
Bottled
EAN
4260207941537
Nutrition
Digital Label
PaCkshoot
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Vintage: 2020
Appellation: Tauberfranken, Wertheim (Baden)
Vineyard: Satzenberg
Grape Variety: Pinot Blanc
Soil: Pink Sandstone
Alcohol: 13,5%Vol.
Sugar: 2,3 g/L
Acidity: 5,0 g/L equiv. Tartaric Acid
Bottled: 02/2023
Elevage: 12 months in french oak Tonneaux on the lees, spontaneous fermentation
EAN: 4260207941353James Suckling 93/100
Gault&Millau 3,5/5
James Suckling
Both cool and smoky, this youthful dry pinot blanc has enough structure for long aging. A delicate flinty character is married to white tree fruit and healthy tannins on the medium-bodied palate. Still youthful, but this already stands out in the crowd of German wines from this grape. Long, stony, positively austere finish. Wild-fermented and matured in 500-liter oak casks for a full year, then bottled unfiltered in June 2024. Drinkable now, but best from 2026.
Satzenberg
Riesling
2020
Vintage
Appellation
Tauberfranken, Wertheim (Baden)
Vineyard
Satzenberg
Grape Variety
Riesling
Pink Sandstone
Soil
13,0 %Vol.
Alcohol
Sugar
1,1 g/L
Acidity
29 month in Stainless Steel,
13 month on the lees, spontaneous fermentation
Elevage
7,1 g/L equiv. Tartaric Acid
02/2023
Bottled
EAN
4260207941322
Nutrition
Digital Label
PaCkshoot
James Suckling
For this warm and usually charming vintage this is a very serious wine that starts out extremely flinty. With a little aeration in the glass the crisp pear and Amalfi lemon aromas open up nicely. Still tightly wound but with a massive wet stone minerality, this is a very concentrated wine in spite of the sleekness of the super-focused finish. From an extreme terraced site with red sandstone soil where no mechanization is possible. Fermented in stainless steel where it spent one year on the full lees. Drinkable now, but best from 2025.
Kaffelstein
Silvaner
2022
Vintage
Appellation
Franken, Kreuzwertheim
Vineyard
Kaffelstein
Grape Variety
Silvaner (Yellow)
Pink Sandstone
Soil
13,0 %Vol.
Alcohol
Sugar
0,3 g/L
Acidity
12 month in french oak Barriques on the lees, spontaneous fermentation, unfiltered
Elevage
5,2 g/L equiv. Tartaric Acid
06/2024
Bottled
EAN
4260207941544
Nutrition
Digital Label
PaCkshoot
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Vintage: 2021
Appellation: Franken, Kreuzwertheim
Vineyard: Kaffelstein
Grape Variety: Silvaner (Yellow)
Soil: Pink Sandstone
Alcohol: 13,0%Vol.
Sugar: 1,0 g/L
Acidity: 5,3 g/L equiv. Tartaric Acid
Bottled: 02/2023
Elevage: 17 months in total, 12 month on the lees, 40% french oak Barrique and 60% Stainless Steel, spontaneous fermentation
EAN: 4260207941346James Suckling 93/100
Gault&Millau 3/5
James Suckling
Here’s a silvaner for lovers of minerally chardonnays. It shows an intensely flinty personality and a firm structure, plus restrained yellow apple and caramelized pear character. Impressive depth, but this is still very youthful and quite firm. Wild-fermented and matured in barriques for a full year, then bottled unfiltered in June 2024. Drinkable now, but best from 2026.
Kaffelstein
Riesling
2021
Vintage
Appellation
Franken, Kreuzwertheim
Vineyard
Kaffelstein
Grape Variety
Riesling
Pink Sandstone
Soil
12,0 %Vol.
Alcohol
Sugar
3,4 g/L
Acidity
32 months in stainless steel, 19 months on the lees, spontaneous fermentation, unfiltered
Elevage
10,2 g/L equiv. Tartaric Acid
06/2024
Bottled
EAN
4260207941520
Nutrition
Digital Label
PaCkshoot
-
Vintage: 2020
Appellation: Franken, Kreuzwertheim
Vineyard: Kaffelstein
Grape Variety: Riesling
Soil: Pink Sandstone
Alcohol: 13,0%Vol.
Sugar: 0,6 g/L
Acidity: 7,5 g/L equiv. Tartaric Acid
Bottled: 02/2023
Elevage: 29 months in stainless steel, 15 month on the lees, spontaneous fermentation
EAN: 4260207941346James Suckling 98/100
Gault&Millau 4,5/5
James Suckling
This striking dry riesling from the 2021 vintage has an excellent balance of cool herbal freshness with candied citrus peel aromas and leesy textural complexity. Still a bit challenging at the end, but this develops very well in the glass. Quite firm, slightly malic finish. Matured for 32 months in stainless steel, of which the first 19 months were on the full lees. Bottled in June 2024. Drink or hold.
Kaffelstein
Pinot Noir
2020
Vintage
Appellation
Franken, Kreuzwertheim
Vineyard
Kaffelstein
Grape Variety
Pinot Noir
Pink Sandstone
Soil
13,5 %Vol.
Alcohol
Sugar
0,2 g/L
Acidity
24 month in french oak Barriques, 20% new oak, spontaneous fermentation, not filtered
Elevage
5,7 g/L equiv. Tartaric Acid
02/2023
Bottled
EAN
4260207941377
Nutrition
Digital Label
PaCkshoot
James Suckling
A unique and totally original Franken pinot noir! Great wild herb, grilled artichoke and ripest red berry complexity, but those are only the most obvious aromas. Such a cool personality for the super-ripe 2020 vintage with staggering mineral freshness and energetic fine tannins on the very concentrated palate. Literally breathtaking finish with the brightness of a lightning strike. From a high altitude vineyard site, then matured in barrique casks for two full years on fine lees. Drink or hold.
Ebenrain
Pinot Noir
2021
Vintage
Appellation
Tauberfranken, Wertheim (Baden)
Vineyard
Ebenrain
Grape Variety
Pinot Noir
Shell Limestone
Soil
13,0 %Vol.
Alcohol
Sugar
0,0 g/L
Acidity
24 month in french oak Barriques, 50% new oak, spontaneous fermentation, unfiltered
Elevage
5,0 g/L equiv. Tartaric Acid
06/2024
Bottled
EAN
4260207941513
Nutrition
Digital Label
PaCkshoot
-
Vintage: 2020
Appellation: Tauberfranken, Wertheim (Baden)
Vineyard: Ebenrain
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Soil: Shell Limestone
Alcohol: 14,0%Vol.
Sugar: 0,1 g/L
Acidity: 5,6 g/L equiv. Tartaric Acid
Bottled: 02/2023
Elevage: 24 months in french oak Barrique, 60% new oak, spontaneous fermentation, unfiltered
EAN: 4260207941360James Suckling 94/100
Gault&Millau 4,5/5
James Suckling
Intensely earthy and savory, this is a very unusual pinot noir for the 2021 vintage. Cool, sleek and crisp with a pronounced flinty character, it is still youthful. With aeration sun-dried tomato character develops, and both the smoky oak and the firm core of the medium-bodied palate become more obvious. The well-crafted tannins will surely give this a long life. Just don’t expect this to turn fruity. Matured in barrique casks (of which 50% were new) for 24 months. Drink or hold.
Kontakt
Nicolas Jacob
Export Manager
nicolas@altegrafschaft.de
Julius Spielmann
Winemaker/Managing Director
js@altegrafschaft.de
Gallery
These images are available for commercial use in connection with any promotion or presentation of our wines or our winery
