Some places are so steeped in history that you can’t help but pause, hold your breath, and let it all sink in. Castell is one of those places. Nestled in the gentle hills of the Steigerwald, the Fürstlich Castell’sches Domänenamt is a family-run winery that has spanned an incredible 26 generations. Here, where Germany’s first Silvaner vines were planted in 1659, deep-rooted tradition meets a remarkably fresh perspective.
Max Kaindl, December 15, 2024
Reading time about 5 minutes
Castell Winery – The Birthplace of German Silvaner
Castell: History, Gypsum Keuper, and a Vision for the Future
My day began in the cool, atmospheric cellars of the estate, where I was welcomed by Marius, a sales representative at Castell. The first step through the heavy wooden doors was already awe-inspiring.
Marius guided me through rows of ancient wooden barrels made from oak trees grown in the estate’s own forest, just above the vineyards. “The terroir doesn’t stop at the vineyard boundary,” he said with a wink, gesturing to the fine-grained barrels. And indeed, at Castell, terroir isn’t just a marketing term—it’s a way of life. The gypsum keuper soil, mineral-rich and rare, defines everything here. “Without our soil, our wines simply wouldn’t be the same,” Marius explained, emphasizing the interplay of soil, time, and craftsmanship at Castell.
While tradition is omnipresent, the winery is far from stuck in the past. In recent years, the cellar work has become even more precise: spontaneous fermentation for their single-vineyard wines, extended lees aging, and careful monitoring of maturation times. “Our wines need time—we’re giving them more and more of it,” Marius said as we climbed the stairs to taste wines that had been allowed to fully develop.
A Tasting Steeped in History
In the new tasting room, adjacent to the timelessly modern vinotheque, the bottles were lined up, ready to impress. But before the first sip, Marius shared news of upcoming changes: the estate plans to extend bottle aging before release and is doubling down on regenerative agriculture. “Sustainability isn’t an option; it’s a responsibility. That’s been a guiding principle here for generations,” he said—a statement that truly resonated. And the wines?
Tasting Notes
Blanc de Blancs Brut (18 months on the lees, 70% Silvaner)
Citrus meets minerality! Pure elegance with juicy freshness, subtle vegetal notes, and a hint of stone. Invigorating to the last drop—the perfect aperitif.
Can „tell me“ white, 2023
Summer in a glass! Pure easy-drinking: floral, aromatic, juicy—the ultimate party wine that never stops being fun. Sunshine for any occasion!
Casteller Silvaner trocken, 2023
Spicy and wild! Herbs, fennel, and a hint of smoke. Cool minerality meets a charcoal-like tension on the finish. Straightforward and precise—a wine with character!
Casteller Kugelspiel Silvaner trocken, 2022
Subtle sophistication! Restrained tension, herbal freshness, and zesty acidity—vibrant and long, with a touch of dryness. Silvaner at its finest.
GRANIT trocken, Alter fränkischer Satz, 2019
A true character wine! Fresh pineapple meets bitterness and hints of rose. Structure and acidity create excitement—harmonious, complex, with a slightly rustic charm.
Schlossberg Silvaner GG, 2019
A powerhouse with style! Salty minerality, ripe fruit, and chili-like spice. Juicy, spicy, and wonderfully long. Balance, density, and a finish that lingers. Wow!
Spätburgunder trocken, 2022
Dark and profound. Precise red fruit, earthy spice, and gripping tannins. A Pinot that blends structure with tension—slender yet full of potential.
Reitsteig Spätburgunder 1G, 2022
Fruit meets finesse! Lively freshness, clear red berries, and a hint of smoke. Perfectly balanced between tannin and fruit—delicate, structured, and wonderfully long. A Pinot lover’s dream!
Hoch hinaus – die Weinberge von Castell
After the tasting, it was time to visit the vineyards—and this is where Castell’s magic truly unfolded. Standing on the Casteller Schlossberg, overlooking the rolling hills, scattered villages like pearls in the valley, and perfectly manicured vines in orderly rows, the view was simply breathtaking.
Marius spoke passionately about vineyard work: “The gypsum keuper gives us something unique, but it also demands a lot. The vines here must fight, and that’s what brings tension to the wines.” Castell is particularly proud of its monopole sites, especially the Schlossberg, exclusively planted with Silvaner. “We love Silvaner,” Marius said with a grin, gesturing toward the vibrant green leaves. “And we’re convinced its best days are still ahead.”
The vineyard tour concluded with a forward-looking perspective: the challenges of climate change and shifts in the wine world are also felt in Castell. But instead of retreating, the estate is meeting these challenges head-on with a clear goal: to craft wines that are not only exceptional now but will continue to captivate for decades.
26 Generations and a Vision for the Future: Castell Inspires
The VDP Weingut Castell left a profound impression on me. It’s a testament to how tradition and innovation are not opposites but can instead fuel one another. Tradition meets innovation, gypsum keuper meets vision—Castell exemplifies how 26 generations of history can be harnessed to boldly look ahead. Castell isn’t just a destination—it’s an experience.
Pictures: © The Art of Riesling – Maximilian Kaindl
