New Cultivar!
The winemaker has two arch-enemies: Oidium and Peronospora. Sounds like science fiction, but it's powdery mildew and downy mildew. These cause the vines to wither. There was no remedy for it... or so it was long thought. But then came Valentin Blattner, who, together with the Palatinate Freytag Vine Nursery, had committed to developing a Piwi variety.
Piwi stands for fungus-resistant. Such a grape variety development can easily take twenty to thirty years, so it's not for people who want to see quick results. In 1991, Valentin Blattner, who is now considered one of the most promising grape breeders worldwide, succeeded in developing the first vine of Cabernet Blanc.
Further development to market readiness then took until 2003. Weingut Graf von Weyher was one of the first three wineries worldwide allowed to cultivate the variety for experimental purposes that year. For us, it was an honor and, at the same time, more exciting than a crime novel. It was an incredible feeling when the new grapes... at that time still without a name, only with a number... could be harvested for the first time.
In 2008, we were allowed to sell Cabernet Blanc for the first time, still with the note on each bottle that this grape variety was declared for experimental cultivation. Since 2012, Cabernet Blanc has been regularly approved in Germany and only since 2018 worldwide. A long and arduous development, any uninitiated person would say, but for grape breeders, this is a rapid product development! Normally, this process takes longer than twenty years.
But it was worth it: Cabernet Blanc is so resistant to powdery and downy mildew (the aforementioned arch-enemies) that 70% less plant protection products are needed. At the same time, it has an excellent taste and is therefore one of our pleasure wines. You can taste the Sauvignon Blanc, combined with a certain Mediterranean touch... but you should best try it yourself!
You can find more exciting background information here: - Cabernet Blanc, a 20-year crime story
What wine experts say:
"Pale yellow with green reflections; intense aroma of tropical fruits such as melon and passion fruit; on the palate, this complex aromatic is underpinned by creamy mellowness and well-balanced sweet-sour interplay; lasting, harmonious overall impression." - DLG Bundesweinprämierung, Frankfurt am Main, 05/2024
"...Our tip this time is a PiWi wine, meaning the result of breeding fungus-resistant vines that require little plant protection: This Cabernet Blanc does not emulate classic varieties but yields something entirely unique - and offers unadulterated drinking pleasure in every respect. A brave and correct decision!" falstaff (2023), Weinguide Deutschland, p. 348
"Greenish-yellow color; in the bouquet, the impressive composition of fine fruit of citrus, gooseberry, and lychee, as well as the elegant spice of green bell pepper; the taste shows a well-balanced acidity in interplay with the expansive mellowness and the charming aromatic interplay; pronounced and long finish." DLG-Bundesweinprämierung, Frankfurt am Main, 10/2021
"Brilliant straw yellow; intense exotic fruit aromas of ripe kiwi paired with gooseberry and slightly vegetal notes of mint, nettle, and some green bell pepper; creamy and juicy on the palate with slightly sweet caramel notes and harmoniously balanced acidity; persistent, complex, and multifaceted." DLG-Bundesweinprämierung, Frankfurt am Main, 06/2020
"Pale straw yellow; the nose presents an intense fruit of banana, mango, pear, and elderflower, intertwined with nuances of caramel and roasted almonds; on the palate, there is a fine spice aroma and a delicate vanilla note, complemented by the mild acidity structure with a subtle sweetness; Charming, creamy finish." DLG-Bundesweinprämierung, Frankfurt am Main, 08/2019
"Scent of yellow fruits (mirabelle plum). Creamy and piquant on the palate, yet light-footed with a delicate mineral note. The perfect partner for poultry, grilled, roasted or braised, for rabbit, rich fish dishes, and vegetable casseroles..." Dr. Rolf Klein, experienced wine author and former editor-in-chief of the magazine "Weinwelt."
Awarded Vintages:
Vintage 2023
(A.P.Nr. 5073053 1424)
- Golden DLG Award awarded and honored by the DLG - Bundesweinprämierung.
Vintage 2021
(A.P.Nr. 5073053 0822)
- Pioneer of Sustainability and
- Golden DLG Award awarded and honored by the DLG - Bundesweinprämierung.
Vintage 2020
(A.P.Nr. 5073053 0321)
- Gold Extra awarded and honored by the DLG - Bundesweinprämierung.
Vintage 2019
(AP. Nr. 5073053 0220)
- Pioneer of Sustainability and
- Golden DLG Award awarded and honored by the DLG - Bundesweinprämierung..
Vintage 2018
(AP. Nr. 5073053 2019)
- Golden DLG Award awarded and honored by the DLG - Bundesweinprämierung.
Vintage 2016
(AP. Nr. 5073053 3517)
- Golden Chamber Prize Medal at the State Award for Wine & Sparkling Wine awarded by the Rhineland-Palatinate Chamber of Agriculture.
(AP. Nr. 5073053 1417)
- Golden Chamber Prize Medal at the State Award for Wine & Sparkling Wine awarded by the Rhineland-Palatinate Chamber of Agriculture.
Vintage 2015
(AP. Nr. 5073053 1416)
- Silver Chamber Prize Medal at the State Award for Wine & Sparkling Wine awarded by the Rhineland-Palatinate Chamber of Agriculture.
Vintage 2014
(AP. Nr. 5073053 1215)
- Silver Chamber Prize Medal at the State Award for Wine & Sparkling Wine awarded by the Rhineland-Palatinate Chamber of Agriculture
Vintage 2013
(AP. Nr. 5073053 1414)
- Golden Chamber Prize Medal at the State Award for Wine & Sparkling Wine awarded by the Rhineland-Palatinate Chamber of Agriculture.