The red grape variety (also Weinsberg S 341) is a new cross between Helfensteiner x Heroldrebe (which was confirmed by DNA analyses published in 2012). The cross was made in 1955 by August Herold (1902-1973) at the Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt Weinsberg in Württemberg (Germany). Plant variety protection was granted in 1979. The name goes back to Immanuel A. L. Dornfeld (1796-1869), after whose initiative the viticultural school in Weinsberg was founded. The same parents also created the Hegel variety. Dornfelder was a crossing partner of the new varieties Acolon, Cabernet Dorio, Cabernet Dorsa and Monarch. Dornfelder is one of the most successful new German varieties.
The early-maturing vine is resistant to botrytis. It produces dark-coloured, fruity red wines with velvety tannins, moderate acidity and aromas of sour cherries, as well as storage potential. The variety is widespread in Germany in all growing regions, but especially in Rheinhessen and Pfalz, and occupies a total of 7,581 hectares of vineyards (D-STATIS). There are further stocks in England (13 ha), Austria, Romania (1 ha), Switzerland (22 ha), Czech Republic and Hungary (29 ha), as well as Australia (0.2 ha), Canada (13 ha), Thailand (3 ha) and USA in California and Pennsylvania (29 ha). In 2016, a total of 7,871 hectares of vineyards were designated. It is thus ranked 89th in the world grape variety ranking.
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
Images: Ursula Brühl, Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI)
