Rainer Schnaitmann

Fellbach, Württemberg (Swabia), Germany

“Schnaitmann, who bottled his first vintage in 1997, is the most prominent and rapidly rising newcomer of the past decade” - The Finest Wines of Germany, Stephan Reinhardt

“In Germany, Württemberg is affectionately known as the Ländle, a diminutive of land in the Swabian dialect. It seems quite fitting, not only for the admirable modest Swabian people, who underplay almost everything - even themselves and their homeland… (B)ecause Württemberg is not rich in natural resources (besides wine of course), the people have always had to be very creative, innovative, and industrious. Porsche, Daimler/Mercedes-Benz and Bosch are from Württemberg.” - The Finest Wines of Germany, Stephan Reinhardt

The Schnaitmann family have been cultivating wine grapes for over 500 years in Fellbach, however the wine estate was not founded until 1997, when Rainer Schnaitmann, who was trained in architectural studies, decided to make his own wines. In the early 1990s, convinced that the regional vineyards held unrevealed potential, Rainer studied oenology and travelled abroad to learn how to make great wines. In 2006 he was invited to join the VDP. His Pinot Noir and Lemberger wines have achieved huge success, but every vintage Rainer Schnaitmann still strives for the creation of distinctive wines. The Gault & Millau “Aufsteiger des Jahres” lists Schnaitmann amongst the 100 best wine estates in Germany; in all major wine publications, it is listed as the absolute top of Württemberg estates. In 2006, Raianer joined the “Verband deutscher Prädikatsweingüter” (the Association of German Prädikat Wine Estates, or VDP), the youngest wine estate until then. The grapes, planted on steep vineyards, are picked by hand with a team of many people from the surrounding area of Stuttgart, which in some years can take up to 9 weeks.

Schnaitmann has been certified in organic viticulture since 2016.

Our Selections

Schaitmann Muskattrollinger Steinwiege 2022

Rare and special wine alert! Muskattrollinger is a late maturing, aromatic variety with blue skin. As the name suggest, this variety is a natural crossing between Muscat and Trollinger (AKA Schiava or Vernatsch), that happened in the vineyard over years. The resulting crossing makes for an aromatic rose with excellent structure. The grapes, grown on colorful marl and red sandstone were spontaneously fermented and aged in stainless steel until bottling in February 2023.

The wine presents itself as a light rosé with fine notes of lychee, rhubarb, vineyard peach, blood orange, as well as rose petals and orange zest. Spicy notes of nutmeg, white pepper and cedar wood accompany the fruit. The light-footed, lively acidity and freshness as well as the moderate alcohol make the fragrant, fruity aromas unobtrusive and refreshing. The wine is juicy with crackling fruit and great structure. Limited!

Steinwiege, meaning “cradle of stones,” is a proprietary name for Schnaitmann’s pure varietal wines at the Gutswein quality level of VDP-classified vineyards.

11% alc., 2.5 g/l RS, 6.2 g/l acidity. Certified organic and vegan

Schaitmann Lemberger Steinwiege 2020

Lemberger, also known as Blaufrankisch or Kekfrankos, is a deeply colored, juicy and structured red wine that makes for versatile food pairings. The Schnaitmann Steinwiege, from vines grown in gypsum and shale soils, features subtle notes of wild herbs, eucalyptus, thyme and juniper along with deep berry fruits such as cassis, blackberry and sour cherry. The palate is juicy, bright and brambly with excellent texture, acidity and fine-grained tannins.

Spontaneous whole-grape fermentation, followed by three weeks on the skins; aged for 24 months in old French oak barrels. Bottled unfiltered. Steinwiege, meaning “cradle of stones,” is a proprietary name for Schnaitmann’s pure varietal wines at the Gutswein quality level of VDP-classified vineyards.

12.5% alc., 1.4 g/l RS, 5.25g/l acidity. Not added SO2. Certified organic and vegan

Schaitmann Trollinger Alte Reben 2022

100% Trollinger (Schiava) from a selection of Rainer’s best sites. Alte Reben means ‘old vines,’ and these 45-year-old vines feature small berries that give great concentration to the wine. Partial whole cluster spontaneous fermentation for 14 days followed by aging in 300 liter old barrels. In the glass, the wine is bright cherry red in appearance with fruit aromas of sour cherry, sloe, wild strawberry, red currant and violets and sea buckthorn. The palate is medium-bodied yet elegant lively acidity, grippy tannin structure and a juicy fruit body that is typical of the grape variety. Simply sensational!

11% alc, 1.2 g/l RS, 4.9 g/l acidity. Unfiltered. No added sulphur. Certified organic and vegan

Schaitmann Sauvignon Blanc Steinwiege 2022

From a small parcel of low yielding vines planted on gypsum marl, decomposed sandstone, and limestone. The wine was spontaneously fermented in new and used 600-liter-oak barrels, moved to steel for natural sedimentation, and then bottled in February, 2023. This is a delicious, ripe Sauvignon Blanc that rivals many of the best in the market. Vivid aromas of freshly cut grass, spring flowers, and herbs are rounded off with fruity notes of meyer lemon, kiwi, nectarine, star fruit, and pineapple. On the palate, the wine is full bodied with animating acidity, and a delightfully spicy, refreshing structure.

Steinwiege, meaning “cradle of stones,” is a proprietary name for Schnaitmann’s pure varietal wines at the Gutswein quality level of VDP-classified vineyards.

13.52% alc., 6.2 g/l RS, 7.4 g/l acidity. Certified organic and vegan

Schaitmann Pinot Noir Simonroth 2019

100% Pinot Noir from colored marl and red sandstone soils. Traditional spontaneous, whole cluster fermentation with three weeks on the skins followed by a year of aging in 300 liter oak barrels (40% new). Ruby red in appearance. Very fine and dense on the nose. The initial aroma suggests red currant, black cherry, autumn foliage, violets, toasted almonds, and vanilla. The palate features elegant acidity, and fine-grained tannins result in a dense and straight structure. Lots of freshness and length, the wine draws from its minerality with subtle iron notes. Perfectly integrated oak structure. 13.5% alc., 1.9 g/l RS, 5.5 g/l acidity.

Since 1997, Simonroth is the name given to Schnaitmann’s high end range of red wines. The term derives from a medieval settlement called "Immosrod", founded at the foot of the Kappelberg. In chronicles, the surrounding vineyards are called “the best land of the country”. The grapes for these excellent red wines grow in the best VDP-classified vineyard sites. Certified organic by Deutschland Landwirtschaft.

Schaitmann Cuvee D Simonroth 2018

60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Lemberger from gypsum, shale, and colored marl soils. Spontaneous fermentation followed by three weeks on the skins with 30% whole cluster - aged for 12 months in 30% new and 70% old oak barrels of 300 liters. Bottled unfiltered. Scents of black pepper, vanilla, violet, licorice, smoke and juniper. Dark berries, cherry and dried plum round off the bouquet. On the palate, the spicy notes are finely integrated into the juicy dark fruit body. The silky dense tannic and acidic structure ensure an impressive balance, elegance and length. 13% alc., 2.4 g/l RS, 5.5 g/l acidity. Bottled in January of 2020.

Since 1997, Simonroth is the name given to Schnaitmann’s high end range of red wines. The term derives from a medieval settlement called "Immosrod", founded at the foot of the Kappelberg. In chronicles, the surrounding vineyards are called “the best land of the country”. The grapes for these excellent red wines grow in the best VDP-classified vineyard sites. Certified organic by Deutschland Landwirtschaft.