Prinz Salm
Innovative and sustainable from noble tradition.
Germany's oldest family winery has been cultivating the top locations on the Nahe and in Rheinhessen since 1200. As a pioneer with the highest standards of quality, fairness and sustainability, the princely family itself is in the vineyard and cellar.
The noble Salm family has been cultivating the top vineyards on the Nahe and in Rheinhessen since 1200. The winery is considered the oldest and most innovative family winery in Germany.
For centuries, the Prince of Salm family has owned winegrowing and fishing rights (especially for river salmon - also known as Salm). Winemaking has been practiced here since 1200 and is now verifiably in the 32nd generation. But there is nothing conservative or old-fashioned about this winery. Princess Victoria and Prince Felix of Salm-Salm are in the cellar themselves and are fighting their way to the innovative top of sustainable winemaking in Germany. In Geisenheim, Prince Felix of Salm has perfected the craft that the family has passed down through generations. The most well-known result is fabulous Rieslings that particularly shine through their noble character and terroir.
In addition to winemaking, the Prinz zu Salm family has made some particularly bold decisions. In 1988, the winery was one of the first in Germany to actively decide to grow wine organically. Felix Prinz zu Salm-Salm's father, Michael Prinz zu Salm-Salm, was president of the VDP and founder of a new era of German quality wines. He saved German wine from an image crisis in the 1990s. The current generation took over the helm in 2017 and has long since left the organic label behind. They want to prove to the world that organic can only be the beginning of even more.
fair'n GREEN
The Prinz Salm winery was already a pioneer in organic viticulture in 1988. It has now also been awarded the seal for sustainable viticulture: FAIR'N GREEN.
It helps winemakers to make sustainability goals (e.g. reduction of CO2 emissions, higher biodiversity, social commitment) objectively measurable and verifiable and to achieve them in an integrative manner. Consumers recognize the sustainable wines by the seal on the bottle and can choose sustainable products.
FAIR'N GREEN means: environmental protection and natural viticulture, promotion of biodiversity, protection of natural resources, fair wages and social commitment, social responsibility, preservation and promotion of the cultural landscape.
As part of the experimental biodiversity, the family keeps cattle in the vineyard. In addition to unconventional weed control and soil loosening, this also provides natural fertilization.
VDP and the Salm family
The Association of German Natural Wine Auctioneers, the VDNV, originally existed in 1910. One of the co-founders was Prince Felix's great-grandfather. Over the years, the VDNV developed into the VDP, the Association of German Prädikat Wine Estates. Membership in the VDNV or VDP was always a guarantee of the highest quality, classified locations and the highest quality.
The glycol scandal in 1985 set back efforts to establish German top-quality wines internationally by decades and made German top-quality wine almost unsellable.
The year 1990 was considered a new start for the VDP, when Michael Prinz zu Salm-Salm - the father of Prince Felix - became president of the VDP and established stricter production rules. A new era began. The VDP now enjoys international recognition again and is a guarantee for the highest quality production from classified locations.
FAIR'n Green
The Prinz Salm winery has been awarded the seal for sustainable viticulture: FAIR'N GREEN.
It helps winemakers to make sustainability goals (e.g. reduction of CO2 emissions, higher biodiversity, social commitment) objectively measurable and verifiable and to achieve them in an integrative manner. Consumers recognize the sustainable wines by the seal on the bottle and can choose sustainable products.
FAIR'N GREEN means: environmental protection and natural viticulture, promotion of biodiversity, protection of natural resources, fair wages and social commitment, social responsibility, preservation and promotion of the cultural landscape.
The Salm family's social commitment also reflects their Christian background: the well-being of fellow human beings and creation are the absolute focus of the winery. Not least through changing Bible verses for the labels of each vintage, the passing on of Christian values is also an elementary part of the family winery's philosophy.
«We bring joy to people: with handmade, valuable wine, created out of conviction in harmony with creation.»
Slate, Cool Climate and Large Growths.
Just like the soil, the climate is part of the terroir. The vineyards extend to heights of over 300 m above sea level. The Hunsrück provides a cool air flow, so that the Wallhausen vineyards in particular ripen later and shine with their distinctive characteristics even in warm vintages.
wines of the winery
Dalberger Ritterhölle Riesling Erste Lage
2020
Scharlachberg Riesling GG
2021
The PRINZ SALM tasting package
Johannisberg Riesling GG
2021
Scharlachberg Riesling GG
2016
Roxheimer Berg Riesling Spätlese Erste Lage
2020
Johannisberg Riesling GG
2014
Sommerlocher Steinrossel Riesling Erste Lage
2021
Felseneck Riesling Kabinett Grosse Lage
2022
Dalberger Ritterhölle Riesling Erste Lage
2021
Felseneck Riesling Kabinett Grosse Lage
2023