Chardonnay Old Vines – 2023

Chardonnay Old Vines from Volcanic Rock in Rheinhessen

The 2023 Steitz Chardonnay Old Vines is a dry organic white wine from the Steitz winery, harvested from over 30-year-old vines on volcanic melaphyr. This is not a loud, oak-heavy Chardonnay, but a cool, salty, mineral-driven local wine from Wonsheim.

Steitz Chardonnay Old Vines 2023 is an elegant organic white wine from the Steitz winery in the Rheinhessische Schweiz, one of the coolest corners of Rheinhessen. Hand-harvested, spontaneously fermented, and aged for ten months in tonneaus, this Chardonnay showcases delicate fruit, salty freshness, and a creamy texture. Let yourself be won over by a wine that is quieter than its reputation.

Yellow apple, quince, and salty freshness

In the glass, the Chardonnay reveals a clear spectrum of yellow apple, pear, melon, and quince, underscored by delicately nutty nuances and fine oak spice. The aromas do not force themselves upon you; they gradually reveal themselves.

On the palate, a saline, oily texture carries the fruit—cool and precise, yet refreshing. Salty, mineral, and creamy, the Chardonnay exerts its strength quietly, without being overbearing. A wine that reveals a little more of itself with every sip, never losing its tension.

Pairs with poultry, pan-seared fish, and hard cheese

The Steitz Chardonnay enjoys bolder cuisine, such as pan-seared fish, poultry with cream sauce, or aged hard cheese. Its salty freshness easily stands up to butter and roasted notes without masking the fruit.

Poached Arctic char and mushroom risotto are excellent companions, served at 11 to 12 degrees in a large white wine glass. It also makes a fine partner for a piece of Comté or roasted pumpkin. If you would like to continue exploring this line from volcanic soil, try the Riesling vom Porphyr or browse through our German white wines.

Christian and Finn Steitz and the old vines

The grapes come from over 30-year-old vines on volcanic melaphyr, a soil with calcareous deposits that gives the wine its salty minerality. What used to be called "Ortswein" (local wine) is now a true statement of origin from Wonsheim, grown in one of the coolest sites in Rheinhessen.

Christian and Finn Steitz manage their vineyards regeneratively, using biodiversity-rich cover crops, compost teas, gentle pruning, and hand harvesting. Since the 2022 vintage, the winery has been organic-certified and Fair'n Green, covering 14 hectares in the cool west of Rheinhessen. Father and son work hand in hand, one with experience, the other with a fresh perspective.

After skin contact and spontaneous fermentation, the Chardonnay matures for ten months in tonneaus on its fine lees, regularly stirred by batonnage; the more restrained the oak, the clearer the fruit remains. Depth instead of oak dominance, emphasizes Christian Steitz, and the winery is rated with three grapes in Gault Millau. If you would like to taste more from the family, you can find other organic wines from the Steitz winery with us.

A few minutes of air for the nutty depth

Poured at 11 to 12 degrees—so not too cold—the fruit and creaminess unfold in their own time. In a large glass, the Chardonnay shows its nutty depth after a few minutes of air, and with a little warmth, the salty tension becomes truly palpable. A wine that keeps well for two days after the bottle is opened.

Chardonnay Old Vines – a wine and its values

• Origin: Wine from Germany
• Region: Rheinhessen
• Local wine (Ortswein): Wonsheim
• Grape variety: Chardonnay
• 13% vol alcohol
• 6.0 g/l acidity
• 2.2 g/l residual sugar

Organic inspection body DE-ÖKO-039 – German Agriculture