Producer Spotlight: Winzerhof Stahl

Winzerhof Stahl is a dynamic young estate run by one of Germany's rising star winemakers, Christian Stahl. Based in the Franconia region of Bavaria, he has been making waves both nationally and internationally in the wine and food scenes, winning multiple awards as a winemaker and for his wines, and earning a Michelin Star for his family restaurant.

We sat down with Christian to hear all about his beautiful aromatic white wines, his philosophy and style, and the secrets behind his success.

FACT FILE:

Winery: Winzerhof Stahl

Interviewee: Christian Stahl

Role at winery: Owner & Winemaker

Location: Franconia, Germany

Sociovino: Franconia, or Franken as it's known in German, is a winemaking region in Northern Bavaria along the River Main. Tell us about your region, the climate, the soil, and what makes it unique?  

Christian: The tradition of winemaking in Franconia dates back to the 8th century and is deeply embedded in the region’s lifestyle and customs. Today, Franconia is the sixth-largest wine-growing region in Germany and is internationally renowned for its white wines, particularly the Silvaner, Müller-Thurgau, and Scheurebe varieties. The primary soils in Franconia are shell limestone, Keuper, and red sandstone.

"The tradition of winemaking in Franconia dates back to the 8th century and is deeply embedded in the region's lifestyle and customs."

Winzerhof Stahl is in Auernhofen, central Franconia, in the south-eastern part of the region. This area lies between the Main and Tauber valleys and is known for its shell limestone soils. We also have vineyards in the Steigerwald, specifically in its southern part, which has been recognised as part of Franconia’s Wine Paradise, since early 2017. The region experiences less rainfall compared to other German wine regions, which creates drier growing conditions. This climate helps concentrate the flavours in the grapes, resulting in wines with higher acidity and fresh, clean profiles. 

Sociovino: Franconia is best known for its aromatic white wines. What are the standout grape varieties in your vineyards? Which ones have truly stolen your heart?

Christian: The most important varieties in our vineyards include Silvaner, Müller-Thurgau, Scheurebe, Pinot Blanc (Weissburgunder), Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Riesling. My personal favourites in my range are Silvaner and Pinot Blanc (AKA Weissburgunder)—both of which I’m really proud to say recently received outstanding scores in Decanter magazine’s tasting.

95 points – Silvaner, Winzerhof Stahl

93 points – Weissburgunder, Winzerhof Stahl

"My personal favourites in my range are Silvaner and Pinot Blanc—both of which I’m really proud to say recently received outstanding scores in Decanter magazine’s tasting"

Sociovino: Christian, you’ve accomplished a lot. Could you tell us your story and how you came to establish the Winzerhof Stahl winery?

Christian: I grew up on my parents' farm, and after finishing school, I trained as a winemaker at Weingut am Stein in Würzburg. To strengthen my knowledge, I studied Viticulture and Oenology at the University of Applied Sciences in Wiesbaden, where I graduated in 2005. I was introduced to organic and biodynamic viticulture at Peter Jakob Kühn’s winery. Shortly afterwards, I returned to my parents’ winery, which my wife Simone and I have been running together since 2007. The estate has grown significantly since my parents started with 1.5 hectares in 1984—we now manage around 40 hectares. In parallel with viticulture, we’ve developed the farm into a wedding venue, and in 2015, we opened our fine-dining restaurant, where I also take the lead in the kitchen.

Sociovino: Every winemaker has their own philosophy and style. How would you describe yours? 

Christian: For me and my team, quality starts in the vineyards, and it isn’t just about producing outstanding wines, but also the sustainable cultivation of natural resources. It’s crucial for us to cultivate autochthonous, healthy, strong vines that thrive in their natural environment. The result of which is honest wines, with mature character, delicacy, yet complexity – always unique. Sustainability for us extends beyond the vineyards. We generate more than twice the energy we consume on-site using solar panels. We heat the restaurant and apartments with wood from our own forests, use well water for service and irrigation, and grow vegetables and herbs in our own gardens.

"The result of which is honest wines, with mature character, delicacy, yet complexity – always unique."

Sociovino: You produce beautiful, aromatic white wines in three distinct tiers. For those who haven’t had the pleasure of tasting them, could you tell us about your range and what they can expect?

Christian: Our everyday drinking range, features typical regional varieties, such as our Silvaner, Weissburgunder, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. These wines are full of character and perfect for a casual drink or meal with friends.

Our Best of Selection is ideal for high-quality menus or special dinners. This selection includes a sparkling wine produced via the Méthode Champenoise, perfect as an aperitif. The still wines, like Silvaner, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Grüner Veltliner, come from the oldest and best steep vineyards in the Main and Tauber valleys.

Our premium range represents wines from small plots with exceptional soils and climatic conditions. These wines focus on aromatic intensity, natural vinification, and a finely tuned use of wood, such as our Scheurebe Cyriakusberg and our Chardonnay Sonnenstuhl, they’re characterised by minerality, perfect ripeness, and great ageing potential.

Sociovino: Your trophy cabinet must be getting full! What are some of the awards that have meant the most to you? Were there any victories that made you pop open an extra-special bottle?

Christian: In 2008, I was named Rising Star of the Year by Der Feinschmecker, which really put our small winery on the map. Then one of the most significant honours was being named Winemaker of the Year by Falstaff in 2021. This recognition affirmed the vision and commitment behind our wines and showed we’re on the right path. Our Silvaner and Riesling won awards at competitions like Mundus Vini—where I won Best German White Wine. And the recent Decanter awards mentioned earlier are a real highlight. These accolades are important not just for me but for the entire team behind Winzerhof Stahl.

After these special victories, I often open a bottle of one of our best single-vineyard Silvaner’s to celebrate. These moments remind me of how far we’ve come and motivate me to continue exploring new ways to enhance the quality and expression of our wines.

Sociovino: Not only do you make award-winning wines, but you also wear the chef’s hat at your own Michelin-starred restaurant! How do you balance both worlds, and how do the winery and restaurant complement each other?

Christian: Our fine dining concept is designed in harmony with pairing to our wines. The aromas of the wines inspire the recipes for each dish. Our cuisine is rooted in classic French cooking, with a focus on high-quality ingredients. The result is a casual fine dining experience with seven to ten carefully curated courses that perfectly complement our wines. Balancing both the winery and the restaurant requires excellent time management, as you can imagine! I dedicate specific periods to each role—being present for key moments in the winery, like harvest and blending, and spending time in the restaurant, overseeing the kitchen, and interacting with guests.

"The aromas of the wines inspire the recipes for each dish."

Sociovino: For anyone planning a trip to your beautiful region, what are the must-see spots? Any hidden gems you think travellers shouldn’t miss?

Christian: There are many must-see spots in the region. Start in Würzburg, home to the Residenz, a UNESCO World Heritage site with stunning baroque architecture and gardens. Don’t miss Marienberg Fortress for breathtaking views and a fascinating museum. Rothenburg ob der Tauber is another highlight—this medieval town is known for its half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets. Other must-visits include Dettelbach, with its medieval architecture and wine festival in September, and Bamberg, another UNESCO site famous for its old town and Bamberg Cathedral. For wine lovers, Kitzingen, one of the oldest wine towns in Franconia, is a great stop, especially with its Wine Museum.

As for hidden gems, explore the lesser-travelled villages along the Romantic Road, like Creglingen. Hiking the Franconian Wine Country Trail is also a great way to experience the region’s vineyards and charming towns. Don’t miss Burg Rabenstein, a tranquil hilltop castle, or Volkach, a lovely wine village perfect for cycling and riverside walks.

"For wine lovers, Kitzingen, one of the oldest wine towns in Franconia, is a great stop, especially with its Wine Museum."

If you've enjoyed reading about Winzerhof Stahl's story, we know you'll enjoy trying their wines! You can explore the full range here.