Summary
Weingut Aldinger in Fellbach near Stuttgart is one of the top estates in Württemberg and at the same time the oldest winery in the town. Across around 25 hectares, the Aldinger family produces predominantly dry wines from Riesling, Lemberger and Spätburgunder. What makes the estate unmistakable within Württemberg is its signature: a deliberately francophile, elegant style that prizes finesse, structure and ageing potential over sheer power. Today the family business is run in its 16th generation by brothers Hansjörg and Matthias Aldinger, who consistently build on the legacy of their father, Gert Aldinger.
History
The estate's roots reach back to 1492, when a "Bentz der Aldinger" is first documented in Fellbach. Since then the Aldinger family has been tied to winegrowing here – which makes Aldinger the oldest winery in Fellbach and one of the most tradition-rich estates in Württemberg.
Over the centuries the estate grew as a classic family business. The decisive step towards its present standing was taken by Gert Aldinger over recent decades: he oriented the estate firmly towards quality and dry wines and led it into the VDP in 1994. Today the 16th generation is already in charge, with brothers Hansjörg and Matthias Aldinger. The two divide the work clearly – Hansjörg shapes the vineyards, Matthias the cellar – and have further sharpened the house's francophile, elegant style.
Location & Terroir
Aldinger lies in Fellbach at the foot of the Kappelberg, right on the doorstep of Stuttgart in the heart of Württemberg. The climate in the Neckar valley is mild and comparatively warm; the sheltered slopes around Fellbach, Untertürkheim, Stetten and Uhlbach offer the vines good conditions for slow, even ripening.
The diversity of soils is decisive. Around Fellbach and in the Neckar sites, Keuper and gypsum soils dominate the picture, alongside marl and limestone. This small-scale geological diversity gives the wines their sense of origin: the Untertürkheimer Gips – a monopole site of around 9.6 hectares – produces taut, mineral wines, while other sites give rise to fuller, elegant Rieslings and deep reds.
Style & Philosophy
Aldinger's stylistic core idea is unusual for Württemberg, a region traditionally known for powerful, often off-dry reds: the estate follows a deliberately francophile line. The wines are predominantly dry, prizing elegance, clear structure and fine aromatics over pure power. Rieslings show themselves precise and mineral, while the reds from Lemberger and Spätburgunder are conceived in a Burgundian spirit – with delicacy, freshness and ageing potential.
The range is rounded out by Weißburgunder (Pinot Blanc), Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, which underline the house's francophile signature, as well as by the regionally typical Trollinger. Above it all stands a clear philosophy of origin: each site should show its own, unmistakable character.
Notable Sites & Wines
The range is clearly tiered: from the accessible VDP.Gutswein through village and single-vineyard wines to the VDP.Großes Gewächs from the best parcels. Among the estate's most important sites are:
- Untertürkheimer Gips – a monopole vineyard of around 9.6 hectares, source of taut, mineral wines
- Fellbacher Lämmler – the classic top site right on the Kappelberg
- Stettener Pulvermächer – for powerful, deep wines
- Uhlbacher Götzenberg – for elegant, finely woven wines
From these sites come some of the highest-rated dry wines in Württemberg – from Riesling through Lemberger to Spätburgunder.
Awards
Aldinger has for years consistently collected top marks in the leading wine guides and tastings. Gault&Millau named the estate "Newcomer of the Year" in 2004, Eichelmann lists it with five stars, and in 2022 Aldinger won the Falstaff Spätburgunder Trophy. The estate is today undisputedly regarded as one of Württemberg's flagships – and as proof that the region can also produce elegant, francophile top wines.