Outstanding Vinotheks Details

There's over 1,000 square meters of space here, and given the size of the portfolio, they need all of it. This low-rise building features a facade from local shell limestone and a large, eye-catching golden script on its roof. The "Wein-Schatzkeller" from the Weingenossenschaftskellerei Heilbronn opened in May 2015 to immediate acclaim as an architectural jewel, with an airy feel that invites guests to relax, to explore and to enjoy. It's a place where 300 different treasures await discovery — 300 different wines, Sekts and seccos broken down by variety along the oak shelves. A place that awakens thirst and desire for Württemberg wines. 

The eventful history of the Genossenschaftskellerei Heilbronn starts in 1888 with the founding of the 'Weingärtnerschaft Heilbronn.' Cooperatives in Weinsberg and Erlenbach merged in 1972, and those from Neckarsulm-Gundelsheim, Lehrensteinsfeld, Unterheinriet and the Weingärtner Flein-Talheim became part of the team in 2007. In 2014 the Grantschen Weine became the most recent addition. The current tally: 1,415 members with a total of 1,413 hectares under vine, or roughly one hectare per member. The majority, almost two-thirds, is dedicated to red wines, especially Trollinger, Lemberger and Schwarzriesling. Riesling is the dominant white variety, although Kerner, Müller-Thurgau and Chardonnay are also represented. 

The membership growth in recent years gave rise to the concept of a dedicated experiential wine world. The grand "Wein-schatzkeller" was ultimately built on Binswanger Straße, with excellent connections to the A6 and Weinsberg interchange, under the leadership of Heilbronn-based architect Stephanie Schmidt. She felt it essential that the surrounding wine landscape be drawn into the designs. The high banks of windows ensure that the space blends into the Weinsberg hills all around, while the shell limestone facade refers clearly to the terroir and the vineyard walls of Trollingerland. Another striking element is the use of light oak wood in the interior window frames and the minimalist seating areas and shelving systems. They establish a harmonious transition to the spaces in the old barrel cellar with its fancy inlaid oak barrels and the working space of Cellarmaster Arne Maier and his team. 

In the first twelve months alone the Schatzkeller hosted almost 300 different events, from tastings and wine seminars to continuing education events. The summer program was another crowd pleaser, featuring relaxed evenings in the three wood pavilions of the new vineyard, nightly from Thursday to Sunday in summer months. A giant open-air screen was also erected for film fans, with a roster of movies ranging from classics to recent Hollywood blockbusters. The "Wein-Schatzkammer" — a scene-stealer indeed!