Origin: In 1955, this variety was developed by August Herold as a new variety at the Staatliche Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt für Wein- und Obstbau in Weinsberg. Its name is derived from Immanuel Dornfeld, the administrator and founder of the viticulture school. It received variety protection and approval by the German Federal Office of Plant Varieties in 1979.

Interbreeding: Helfensteiner x Heroldrebe

Characteristics: The bud burst time of this variety is middle of the period. The ripeness is early to medium. The vigour of this variety is strong to very strong, with the shoots growing upright. The side shoot growth varies from weak to medium. The grape yield of the variety is high to very high, consistent yield restriction is necessary to produce good wine qualities. There is considerable variation in the number of berries per grape, berry size and grape weight. The variety-specific yield level is in the range of 80 to kg/ar. The variety allows "decent" must weights, preferably of 80 degrees Oechsle or more.

Grape: The grape has a conical shape, is large to very large and has a medium-dense berry arrangement. The roundish berries are of considerable size and have a deep blue to black colour. The berries are covered by a thick skin.

Wine: Due to the high content of colour in the berry skin, this variety is characterised by the possibility of not only being vinified as a wine in its own right, but also being used as a colour-intensive component in cuvées. The wine reveals a fruity, full and powerful character with a pronounced tannin note. Variety-typical, full-bodied, dense, lasting wines with a good structure and balanced red wine character can only be achieved if yields are limited and the vitality of the vines is sufficiently guaranteed.

Cultivation: In principle, the red wine variety does not require special vineyard sites. Nevertheless, it is recommended to prefer medium to good vineyard sites, especially if a higher quality and, above all, an intense colour intensity are desired. The soil should be fertile and the variety should be grafted onto vigorous rootstocks with high resistance to chlorosis and good water and nutrient appropriation capacity. In addition, the Dornfelder needs sufficient water supply with potassium and especially with magnesium, with a favourable ratio of K : Mg = 2 : 1 because of the susceptibility to stem rot.

Clones

The clone We 700 is the only clone of this grape variety so far.