Weingut Rudolf Fürst

The Miltenberg basin offers ideal climatic conditions for top-class viticulture. Centgrafenberg in Bürgstadt and the steep Schlossberg vineyard in Klingenberg, both endowed with red sandstone soils, are home to the most exceptional Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir), produced by Weingut Rudolf Fürst. 

Records show that the Fürst family have been making wine since 1638. After taking over the estate in 1979, Paul and Monika Fürst built their present home amid the vines of Centgrafenberg and began recultivating their particularly attractive, steep plots in prime locations. They grew the vineyard area from 1.5 hectares to their current 21 hectares, of which Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) accounts for 60%.

Pinot pioneers

Back in an era when German growers had barely even begun to think about cultivating and vinifying high-quality Pinot, Paul Fürst was already engaged in a lively exchange with leading Pinot Noir producers from regions like Burgundy. The aim was to learn how to express the intricacies of the variety to the full. This pioneering work started to bear fruit in 1989, when Fürst achieved his first breakthrough.

Relentless in the pursuit of quality

For decades, the Fürst family have been relentless in their pursuit of quality. An environmental focus, reduced yields, painstaking leaf removal, selective picking, and gentle winemaking with extended time in oak are a matter of course at this estate. The Fürsts’ elegant, finely structured wines are a perfect match for food and grace many a top restaurant. 

From Paul to Sebastian

After studying viticulture and winemaking at Geisenheim and gaining experience in Burgundy, Alsace, Spain and South Africa as well as at top German wineries, son Sebastian Fürst joined the family enterprise in 2007. Sebastian and his wife Isabell took over the winery in 2018. However, both father and son continue to work closely together. Paul was named Germany’s winemaker of the year in 2003, as was Sebastian in 2018. Later in 2020, Paul also received an award for his life’s work.

“The ferrous red stony soils of Centgrafenberg, Schlossberg and Hundsrück are perfect for producing fine, long-lived Pinot Noir, with each vineyard imparting its own unmistakeable character. The meagre, white shell-limestone soils of Astheim offer the ideal terrain for our Chardonnays.”

Sebastian Fürst

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