VDP.WeingutSilvaner, Mueller-Thurgau, Riesling, Schwarzriesling, Weissburgunder, Bacchus, Scheurebe, Chardonnay5.8 haPeter and Sophie SchaefferEscherndorf
Small family estate on the Escherndorfer Lump, farming 5.8 hectares under Peter and Sophie Schaeffer since 2022, with Silvaner leading a dry Franconian range.
Tasting: Cellar-door sales in Volkach-Escherndorf, Monday to Saturday.
Tip: Recently planted Chardonnay is a new departure for the estate, worth asking about alongside the core Silvaner.
VDP.WeingutSilvaner, Mueller-Thurgau, Riesling, Spaetburgunder, Weissburgunder, Grauburgunder, Scheurebe, Schwarzriesling14.3 haNordheim
Multi-generation family estate spanning Nordheim and Dettelbach, farming 14.3 hectares with Silvaner and Mueller-Thurgau leading, a VDP member since 1974.
Tasting: Cellar door in Nordheim plus a wine bar and guest house, Himmelstoss, in Dettelbach.
Tip: The Dettelbach Himmelstoss location combines a wine bar with the tasting room, useful for an evening stop.
VDP.WeingutRiesling, Mueller-Thurgau, Silvaner, Domina, Weissburgunder, Grauburgunder, Bacchus, Spaetburgunder, Schwarzriesling11.0 haFounded 1924ORGANIC CERTIFIEDAlzenau-Michelbach
Organic-certified fourth-generation estate at Franken's western edge near Alzenau, farming 11 hectares with Riesling leading over Mueller-Thurgau, Silvaner and Domina.
Tasting: Tastings for groups up to 18, cellar tours, and the annual Hofweinfest on the second weekend of July.
Tip: Domina, a Franken-bred red crossing, is a distinctive pour here alongside the more common Riesling and Silvaner.