Weingut Bianka & Daniel Schmitt, Wild Pony 2021

When it comes to doing things differently, Bianka and Daniel Schmitt are crafting textural wines that truly stand out—not just in Rheinhessen, but across Germany and the global wine scene.

The Schmitt winery has been in the family for over 230 years with Bianka and Daniel working their 17 hectares for the last decade. The couple met in 2012, following Bianka’s oenology studies and some work experience in the local area. A few years later, they took over Daniel’s family vineyards, which have been farmed organically and biodynamically since 2012. During a wine trip to Alsace, including a visit to visionary winemaker Patrick Meyer, the couple found inspiration and began shaping their wines in a style that, at the time, some considered too radical and unconventional.

For them, the vineyards became a canvas for creativity, and the wines, the fruit of their labour and philosophy. While these wines may be somewhat misunderstood within Germany, resulting in almost all of them being exported, they offer a truly unique experience. These are anything but mainstream wines, and if you’re looking to explore a different side of Rheinhessen, there’s no better place to start than here. After all, the Schmitt's are one of only 80 wineries across Germany to be Demeter certified.