Pfalz cooperative in Deidesheim with member vineyards around Ruppertsberg and Forst, plus Dornfelder Regent rosé and sweet Riesling Spätlese.
The producer
Winzerverein Deidesheim eG is a Pfalz cooperative based in Deidesheim, with member vineyards around Deidesheim, Ruppertsberg and Forst. The cooperative works with 25 grape varieties, 80 percent white vines and a Riesling share of 80 percent within those white plantings. Its wines include Rosalie Rosé 2023 from Dornfelder and Regent and Deidesheimer Herrgottsacker Riesling Spätlese 2021 from sandy clay. Steven Kärgel is managing director.
Known for
Pfalz Riesling Spätlese and rosé
Notable facts
Winzerverein Deidesheim dates to 1898 and identifies itself as the oldest winegrowers' cooperative in the Pfalz.
Winzerverein and Winzergenossenschaft merged in July 1966.
The filling line was replaced in summer 2023, and new equipment has filled, labelled and packed wine since October 2023.
A photovoltaic installation mounted on the filling hall roof in autumn 2023 supplies one third of internally required electricity.
The story
Members Build the First Cellar
In 1898, 45 winegrowers attended the founding meeting of Winzerverein Deidesheim, and all of them became members. In 1899, the members began building the cellar and press house themselves in Deidesheim. The members did the work themselves, and the cooperative remains based at the site today. The producer's vinothek, Weinparadies, is at number 8 in Deidesheim. The founding group formed both the membership and the working premises of the cooperative.
From the atlas
Winzerverein Deidesheim
A Pfalz cooperative based in Deidesheim, with member vineyards and wines spanning Dornfelder, Regent and Riesling.
Member vineyards around Deidesheim, Ruppertsberg and Forst
The Producer
Winzerverein Deidesheim eG brings together 380 members in the Pfalz. Of these, 83 actively farm vines, and 11 do so full time. Steven Kärgel is the managing director.
Those members cultivate about 150 hectares around Deidesheim, Ruppertsberg and Forst, with 25 grape varieties. White varieties account for 80 percent of the vines, and Riesling accounts for 80 percent of those white plantings.
Place
The cooperative's vineyards surround Deidesheim and extend into Ruppertsberg and Forst. It identifies Herrgottsacker, Kieselberg, Leinhöhle and Paradiesgarten among its internationally known vineyard sites.
A vineyard name narrows a wine's address to a specific place within a wider farming area. Herrgottsacker appears in the name of the sweet Riesling Spätlese, connecting that bottle to a named vineyard.
Wines
The range spans rosé and sweet white wine. Rosalie Rosé 2023 is made from Dornfelder and Regent. The grapes are crushed and fermented under temperature control. The wine has aromas of red berries, strong fruit and a long finish, with 6.5 g/l acidity and 12 g/l residual sugar. Its minimum keeping horizon is three years.
Deidesheimer Herrgottsacker Riesling Spätlese 2021 is made entirely from Riesling grown on sandy clay. Selected grapes are fermented under temperature control in stainless steel tanks. The wine has aromas of pear, honeydew melon, peach and lime. Its sweet palate shows pear, peach, honey and mandarin, with a full flavour, freshness, abundant fruit and a very long finish. Acidity is 6.8 g/l, and its minimum keeping horizon is ten years.
Final Word
Together with its members, Winzerverein Deidesheim produces about 1.5 million litres of wine each year, marketed exclusively as bottled wine or sparkling wine.