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 with plos located across Baden and Franken, the estate spans an area of 12 hectares and is divided into three main terroirs: Satzenberg, Kaffelstein, and Ebenrain.
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
wertheim
Alter Satz
2022
Vintage
Appellation
Baden, Wertheim
Vineyard
Village Blend
Grape Variety
Müller-Thurgau, Kerner, Bacchus, Silvaner, Pinot Blanc, Riesling
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
White Scenaric1 Scenaric2
PaCkshoot
wertheim
Silvaner
2023
Vintage
Appellation
Baden, Wertheim
Vineyard
Village Blend
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
Download
White Scenaric1 Scenaric2
PaCkshoot
wertheim
Riesling
2022
Vintage
Appellation
Baden, Wertheim
Vineyard
Village Blend
Grape Variety
Riesling
Shell Limestone, Pink Sandstone
Soil
11,5 %Vol.
Alcohol
Sugar
2,7 g/L
Acidity
19 months in stainless steel, 12 months on the lees, spontaneous fermentation.
Elevage
7,1 g/L equiv. Tartaric Acid
04/2024
Bottled
EAN
4260207941391
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, along with a subtle salty minerality from the shell limestone. 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
wertheim
Pinot Blanc
2022
Vintage
Appellation
Baden, Wertheim
Vineyard
Declassified Satzenberg
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
Digital Label
White Scenaric1 Scenaric2
PaCkshoot
wertheim
Pinot Noir
2021
Vintage
Appellation
Baden, Wertheim
Vineyard
Declassified Ebenrain
Grape Variety
Pinot Noir
Shell Limestone
Soil
13,0 %Vol.
Alcohol
Sugar
0,2 g/L
Acidity
24 month in french oak barriques, spontaneous fermentation, unfiltered
Elevage
5,3 g/L equiv. Tartaric Acid
05/2024
Bottled
EAN
4260207941384
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
Kreuzwertheim
Pinot Noir
2021
Vintage
Appellation
Franken, Kreuzwertheim
Vineyard
Declassified Kaffelstein
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
PaCkshoot
Satzenberg
Pinot Blanc
2020
Vintage
Appellation
Baden, Wertheim
Vineyard
Reicholzheimer Satzenberg
Grape Variety
Pinot Blanc
Pink Sandstone
Soil
13,5 %Vol.
Alcohol
Sugar
2,3 g/L
Acidity
12 month in french oak Tonneaux on the lees, spontaneous fermentation
Elevage
5,0 g/L equiv. Tartaric Acid
02/2023
Bottled
EAN
4260207941353
Nutrition
Digital Label
PaCkshoot
James Suckling
The floral honey and toasty aromas are beautifully matched on the nose of this generous, but rather cool and well-structured dry pinot blanc. Plenty of dried sage, tarragon and parsley complexity at the firm finish. Drink or hold.
Satzenberg
Riesling
2020
Vintage
Appellation
Baden, Wertheim
Vineyard
Reicholzheimer 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
2021
Vintage
Appellation
Franken, Kreuzwertheim
Vineyard
Kreuzwertheim Kaffelstein
Grape Variety
Silvaner
Pink Sandstone
Soil
13,0 %Vol.
Alcohol
Sugar
1,0 g/L
Acidity
17 month in total, 12 month on the lees, 40% french oak Barriques and 60% Stainless Steel, spontaneous fermentation
Elevage
5,3 g/L equiv. Tartaric Acid
02/2023
Bottled
EAN
4260207941346
Nutrition
Digital Label
PaCkshoot
James Suckling
Stacks of butterscotch and toast are married to leesy complexity to create a very unusual dry silvaner that’s closer to a white Burgundy from a modest appellation that’s been given the full oak treatment. Good structure and stony minerality at the bone dry finish. Should improve with a bit more time in the bottle. Drink or hold.
Kaffelstein
Riesling
2020
Vintage
Appellation
Franken, Kreuzwertheim
Vineyard
Kreuzwertheim Kaffelstein
Grape Variety
Riesling
Pink Sandstone
Soil
13,0 %Vol.
Alcohol
Sugar
0,6 g/L
Acidity
29 months in stainless steel, 15 months on the lees, spontaneous fermentation.
Elevage
7,5 g/L equiv. Tartaric Acid
02/2023
Bottled
EAN
4260207941339
Nutrition
Digital Label
PaCkshoot
James Suckling
What a deep and mysteriously smoky nose this great dry riesling has! Gigantic minerality on the vibrant palate makes this one of the most exciting wines of the vintage in Germany! Simultaneously compact and sleek with crystalline clarity at the super-long and focused finish. From over 50-year-old vines in 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. Enormous aging potential. Drinkable now, but best from 2025.
Kaffelstein
Pinot Noir
2020
Vintage
Appellation
Franken, Kreuzwertheim
Vineyard
Kreuzwertheim 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
2020
Vintage
Appellation
Baden, Wertheim
Vineyard
Lindelbacher Ebenrain
Grape Variety
Pinot Noir
Shell Limestone
Soil
14,0 %Vol.
Alcohol
Sugar
0,1 g/L
Acidity
24 month in french oak Barriques, 40% new oak, spontaneous fermentation, not filtered
Elevage
5,6 g/L equiv. Tartaric Acid
02/2023
Bottled
EAN
4260207941360
Nutrition
Digital Label
PaCkshoot
James Suckling
This stunning Franken pinot noir combines richness, excellent tannin structure and a mineral freshness to create a completely convincing whole. More wild herb, licorice and meat extract character than the blackberry fruit typical of the vintage. A surprisingly light touch for 14% alcohol. Long, very harmonious finish. From a high altitude vineyard site, then matured in barrique casks for two full years on fine lees. Bottled in February 2023. 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
