The winegrowers association of the German region of Saale-Unstrut is celebrating its 20th anniversary. In this period, the vineyard area of the region has more than doubled. Where there were only two wine producers in GDR times, the association now has more than 50 member estates.

The Saale-Unstrut winegrowers association was founded in Freyburg 20 years ago, at the same time, the region was accepted into the overall German system as a quality wine-growing region. There were only two producers here during the Communist GDR era, the Freyburg cooperative and the communally owned Bad Kösen estate; with a total vineyard area of 320 hectares the region was minuscule.

This picture began to change in 1990. The current statistics show 30 full-time wine estates, and an additional 40 part-time producers. They are flanked by the two major players in the region, the Freyburg cooperative and the state-owned Kloster Pforta estate in Bad Kösen. Today the association has some 260 members, representing more than 90 per cent of the total vineyard area. The number includes more than 50 estates and five cooperatives. There are currently 705 hectares under vine, with a further 60 hectares approved but not yet planted. (WF/press release)