So much for "Closed Shop": VDP starts to expand to the east and the south

"Due to the strict quality policy pursued in the past 20 years, the VDP brand is now stronger than ever. For wine enthusiasts, VDP Vine Eagle represents an attribute, and shopping guide at the same time because the VDP is anything but a `closed shop´. The association will continuously have to renew itself in the future", said Steffen Christmann, referring to the strategic direction of the internationally recognized organization.

(Dresden-Pillnitz) - Klaus Zimmerling works at the most north-eastern border where winemaking is possible. He has learned to make optimum use of the distinct continental climate in Sachsen (Saxony) by cultivating rather small, but tasteful grapes in order to preserve "the wine´s genuineness".

Zimmerling applies strict organic practices to cultivate his vineyards which are located on granite and gneiss based soils in the Königlicher Weinberg site in Pillnitz. Under these conditions, he regularly harvests only 20 to 30 hectoliters per hectare. The wine estates bottle labels are expressive and special as they show sculptures made by his wife Malgorzata Chodakowska, which shows that the connection of wine and art is real.

Contact information: Klaus Zimmerling, Bergweg 27, 01326 Dresden, telephone 0351 2618752, fax 0351 2618752,info@weingut-zimmerling.de

(Reicholzheim) - "My passion to focus on quality throughout the whole year is my motivation to improve, to avoid mistakes and to stay creative!" Konrad Schlör has shown that wines from the Taubertal district are among the top in Germany.

Grape varieties, typical of the region, such as Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir), Schwarzriesling, Weißer Burgunder and Silvaner have been grown on muschelkalk and new red sandstone soils since 1984. Fifteen years later, Schlör succeeded in producing best wines. Top positions at the German Red Wine Prize and positive reviews given by the most important wine guides mean both approval and incentive for Konrad Schlör and his family.

Contact information: Schlör wine estate, Martin-Schlör-Str. 22, 97877 Wertheim-Reicholzheim, telephone 09342 4976, fax 09342 6959,info@weingut-schloer.de

(Leimen) -Thomas Seeger succeeded in positioning his family- owned wine estate at the top in Germany

His claim sounds easy: Wines have to hit the spot. Quality is created in the vineyard and Thomas Seeger sees it as his responsibility to bring the quality straight into the bottle. By doing so, Seeger embodies the VDP´s quality philosophy and belongs to a generation of winemakers who have introduced a new era of German wine in the 80s and 90s.

Contact information: Seeger wine estate, Rohrbacher Strasse 101, 69181 Leimen, telefone 06224 72178, fax 06224 78363,info@seegerweingut.de

Background: By admitting new members recently, the VDP Prädikat wine estates now has 196 members. By comparison, in 1990, the list of VDP members included a total of 161 estates. Since then, 73 estates have left the association, and 108 new members have been accepted into the ranks of high quality wine estates. On the one hand, this result can be explained by the strict quality policy implied by the Prädikat wine estates. On the other hand, talented and quality-oriented newcomers and their openness also play an important role. (aw.yoopress)