Dornfelder
The reliable German Growth
This red grape is the most successful German new variety. The Dornfelder was created in 1955 at the State Institute and Research Station for Fruit and Wine Growing in Weinsberg by crossing the Helfensteiner and the Heroldrebe. The variety got its name from Immanuel Dornfeld, who founded the wine school in the 19th century.
Since then, Dornfelder has spread far, as this vine demands little of the soil, matures reliably, and has large, high quality yields. In Germany, around 10% of vineyard area is planted with Dornfelder.