What is "ehrenfelser"

Ehrenfelser is a white wine grape variety of German origin. It was created by Dr. Heinrich Birk (1898-1973) at the Geisenheim Grape Breeding Institute in 1929, by crossing the varieties Riesling and Silvaner, with the identification of Silvaner being somewhat uncertain.

Ehrenfelser is grown primarily in the Palatinate and Rheinhessen regions in Germany with some experimental plantings in Washington State. However, as is the case with most white German "new crosses", plantings within Germany have decreased considerably in recent years. In 2006, only of plantings remained, down from in 1999.

Several vineyards in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia also grow Ehrenfelser, including at least Cedar Creek, Lake Breeze, Gray Monk, Gehringer Brothers, Mount Boucherie, Quails' Gate and Summerhill. The grape tends to ripen earlier and produce higher yields than Riesling but its quality is not on par with that of this, its parent grape.

The variety normally consistently produces grapes of at least Kabinett level ripeness and tends to produce well in vineyards where Riesling has difficulties.

Ehrenfelser derives its name from the Burg Ehrenfels ruins located on the Rhine near Rüdesheim. It is also known under the synonym Geisenheim 9-93.

Ehrenfelser was crossed with Reichensteiner to create Ehrenbreitsteiner.