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What Is Dornfelder? The Grape Behind English Reds and Rosés
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Dornfelder is a red grape from Germany that makes deep-coloured, juicy wines with soft tannins and flavours of cherry, blackberry and plum. It was bred in 1955, and English winemakers still use it today for still reds, rosés, and sparkling reds. If you love smooth, fruit-led reds, you’ll want to get to know Dornfelder.
Here are the key facts before we dig in:
- Origin: Bred in Weinsberg, Germany, in 1955
- Colour: Deep ruby to purple
- Flavours: Cherry, blackberry and plum
- Style: Mostly dry, with soft tannins
- Made into: Still red, rosé and sparkling red
Below, we cover where Dornfelder comes from, how it tastes, why it suits English vineyards, and how to enjoy it at home. For the bigger picture on red grapes and styles, see our complete guide to red wine.
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What Is Dornfelder?
Dornfelder is a dark-skinned red grape variety created in Germany in 1955. According to the German Wine Institute (Wines of Germany), the breeder August Herold made it in Weinsberg, in the Württemberg region, by crossing two other German red grapes: Helfensteiner and Heroldrebe.
Jargon explained: crossing
A crossing is a new grape variety bred from two parent varieties of the same vine species. Breeders grow it from seed, then test it for many years before releasing it to growers.
Dornfelder started small but grew fast. Germany had just 124 hectares in 1979 and 6,618 hectares by 2023, about 7% of the country’s vineyard area. It is now Germany’s second most important red grape after Pinot Noir.
Who is Dornfelder named after?
Dornfelder is not named after its breeder. The Wein-Plus wine encyclopedia explains that it honours Immanuel Dornfeld (1796 to 1869), whose work led to the founding of the wine school in Weinsberg. The variety gained official protection in 1979.
Why was Dornfelder created?
Dornfelder was first bred as a blending grape to add colour to pale red wines, as Wines of Germany UK notes. Its wines turned out so fruity and approachable that growers began bottling it on its own. See how it fits alongside other varieties in our guide to grapes grown in the UK.
What Does Dornfelder Taste Like?
Dornfelder tastes of dark, juicy fruit, with a smooth feel and fresh acidity. Here is what to look for when you taste it:
- Colour: Deep ruby to purple, darker than most cool-climate reds
- Fruit: Sour cherry, blackberry, plum and elderberry
- Other notes: A light floral lift, plus spice or vanilla when aged in oak
- Tannins: Soft and velvety rather than grippy
- Acidity: Fresh and lively
- Body: Light to medium in England, fuller in warmer parts of Germany
Jargon explained: tannins
Tannins are natural compounds from grape skins, seeds and oak. They create the drying feel on your gums after a sip of red wine. Our guide to tannins in wine explains more.
Jargon explained: body
Body describes how heavy a wine feels in the mouth. A light-bodied wine feels a bit like skimmed milk, and a full-bodied wine feels closer to whole milk.
Some Dornfelder spends time in small oak barrels called barriques. Oak softens the fruit and adds warmth, structure and a gentle spicy edge. Most bottles, though, are made to show off fresh fruit and are ready to drink young.
Is Dornfelder sweet or dry?
Most Dornfelder is dry. English versions are almost always dry, while some German bottles are made off-dry with a touch of sweetness. On a German label, “trocken” means dry and “halbtrocken” means off-dry.
Jargon explained: off-dry
An off-dry wine has a small amount of natural grape sugar left in it. You notice a hint of sweetness, but the wine does not taste like a dessert wine.
How Does Dornfelder Compare to Pinot Noir and Rondo?
Dornfelder is darker and fruitier than Pinot Noir, and softer and rounder than Rondo. All three are red grapes grown in England, but each brings something different.
| Feature | Dornfelder | Pinot Noir | Rondo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | Weinsberg, Germany, 1955 | Burgundy, France, grown for centuries | Geisenheim, Germany, 1964 |
| Colour | Deep ruby to purple | Pale to medium ruby | Deep, dark red |
| Main flavours | Cherry, blackberry, plum | Red cherry, raspberry, earthy notes | Black fruit, smoky and peppery notes |
| Tannins | Soft and velvety | Light and silky | Medium |
| Main use in England | Still reds, rosé, sparkling red | Sparkling wine, still reds, rosé | Still reds and red blends |
| UK vineyard area | About 20 hectares (2015) | 1,157 hectares (2023) | 66 hectares (2023) |
Pinot Noir is the big player
WineGB survey figures reported by wine writer Jamie Goode put Pinot Noir at 27% of UK plantings in 2023, with Rondo at 2%. Around 76% of UK wine that year became sparkling wine, so much of that Pinot Noir ends up in fizz.
Dornfelder is the specialist
Dornfelder plays a smaller but useful role. The Great British Vineyards Guide lists 33 UK vineyards growing it, and records about 20 hectares in production in 2015. Winemakers often blend a little Dornfelder into lighter reds to add colour and fruit.
Rondo is the cool-climate cousin
Rondo was bred at Geisenheim in 1964 for cool, damp regions. Falstaff reports that England has the largest Rondo area, ahead of Sweden. For lighter red ideas, see 7 red wines to try first.
Why Does Dornfelder Grow Well in England?
Dornfelder suits England because it ripens early, resists rot and gives deep colour even in a cool summer. Those three traits solve the biggest problems for red grapes in a northern climate.
Jargon explained: cool climate
A cool-climate wine region has mild summers and a shorter growing season. Grapes ripen slowly, which keeps acidity fresh but makes deep colour harder to achieve.
The Oxford Companion to Wine highlights several reasons growers like Dornfelder:
- Early ripening: It ripens more reliably than many other German reds
- Rot resistance: It stands up well to grey rot, a common risk in damp autumns
- Strong stalks: Bunches hold together well on the vine
- Deep colour: Valuable where sunshine is too limited to darken other red grapes
- Generous yields: Crops can be large, so quality-focused growers thin them
Jargon explained: grey rot and yield
Grey rot (botrytis) is a fungus that spoils grapes in wet weather. Yield is the amount of fruit a vineyard produces. Growers often cut some bunches off early so the rest ripen with more flavour.
How is a warmer climate changing English reds?
Warmer summers are helping English red grapes ripen more fully. A University of East Anglia-led study found growing-season temperatures in UK wine regions rose by about 1°C between 1981 and 2000, and between 1999 and 2018. The authors expect conditions for still red wine to keep improving to 2040.
The industry is growing too. The 2025 WineGB report, covered by Wine Drinker, recorded 4,841 hectares under vine and 99 grape varieties in the UK, with 31% of production now still wine. Read more in our guide to how warmer weather is changing English wine.
What does English Dornfelder taste like?
English Dornfelder tends to be lighter, brighter and fresher than German examples. Expect crunchy red and black cherry, fresh acidity and a soft finish. Many English winemakers blend it with Pinot Noir or Rondo, using Dornfelder for colour and juicy fruit.
Can Dornfelder Be Made Into Rosé?
Yes. Dornfelder makes vivid, fruity rosé, and English producers use it for still rosé, sparkling rosé and sparkling red. Because its skins are so dark, winemakers need only a short contact time to reach a bright pink colour.
As Wine Spectator explains, rosé is usually made in one of three ways:
- Short skin contact: Winemakers crush red grapes and leave them with their skins for a short time. The longer the contact, the darker the rosé.
- Saignée: Some juice is drained early from a tank of red grapes and made into rosé.
- Blending: Red and white wine are mixed, a method mostly used for sparkling rosé.
Jargon explained: saignée
Saignée (say “sen-yay”) is French for “bleeding”. The winemaker bleeds off pink juice from red grapes, which also leaves the remaining red wine more concentrated.
Dornfelder rosé is usually deeper pink than pale Provence styles, with strawberry, raspberry and cherry flavours. Compare English rosé vs Provence rosé, or explore the full range in our rosé wine guide. For bubbles, see what is sparkling red wine?
How Should You Serve Dornfelder?
Serve fruity Dornfelder slightly chilled, at around 12 to 14°C. Decanter recommends 12 to 13°C for lighter reds and 14 to 16°C for medium-bodied reds, and suggests chilling summer reds for about 30 minutes.
| Dornfelder style | Serving temperature | How to get there | Best glass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light, fruity red | 12 to 13°C | About 30 minutes in the fridge | Standard red wine glass |
| Oak-aged red | 14 to 16°C | About 15 minutes in the fridge | Large-bowled red wine glass |
| Rosé | 8 to 10°C | Two to three hours in the fridge | White wine glass |
What food goes with Dornfelder?
Dornfelder pairs well with food that has rich flavour but no heavy spice. Its soft tannins and bright fruit make it an easy match for:
- Roast meats: Duck, pork belly or roast chicken with gravy
- Game: Venison sausages, pheasant or pigeon
- Mushroom dishes: Risotto, pies or mushrooms on toast
- Cheese: Mature Cheddar or a nutty alpine cheese
- Barbecue: Burgers and sausages, served with lightly chilled Dornfelder
Dornfelder rosé pairs well with salmon, summer salads, and charcuterie. For more seasonal ideas, see our summer wine pairings.
Taste English Reds Where They Grow
The best way to get to know a grape is to taste it close to the vines. Join a tour and tasting at Bolney Wine Estate in West Sussex, where vines have grown since 1972.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dornfelder a hybrid grape?
No. Dornfelder is a crossing of two European wine grapes, Helfensteiner and Heroldrebe. A hybrid mixes different vine species, which Dornfelder does not.
Is Dornfelder similar to Merlot?
Dornfelder shares Merlot’s soft tannins and plummy fruit, but it is usually lighter and fresher, especially when grown in England. Fans of easy-drinking Merlot often enjoy Dornfelder.
Should Dornfelder be chilled?
Light, fruity Dornfelder tastes best slightly chilled, at around 12 to 13°C. Around 30 minutes in the fridge before serving is enough.
Does Dornfelder age well?
Most Dornfelder is made to drink young, within two to four years of the vintage. Oak-aged versions can age longer in the bottle.
Where is Dornfelder grown?
Germany grows the most Dornfelder, mainly in Rheinhessen and the Pfalz. Smaller plantings exist in England, Switzerland and a handful of other countries.
Sources
- Wines of Germany (German Wine Institute): Dornfelder: Origin, breeder, parentage, German plantings and ranking
- Wein-Plus Wine Encyclopedia: Dornfelder: Naming, variety protection date and plantings abroad
- Wines of Germany UK: Dornfelder: Original purpose as a colour-boosting blending grape
- Wine Anorak (Jamie Goode): UK wine production continues to grow: 2023 WineGB plantings by variety and sparkling share
- Great British Vineyards Guide: Dornfelder: Number of UK vineyards and UK area in production
- Falstaff: Rondo grape variety: Rondo’s origin and plantings in England
- The Oxford Companion to Wine (via ckbk): Dornfelder: Growing traits, rot resistance, colour and yields
- Nesbitt et al. (2022), OENO One, via University of East Anglia: Warming in UK wine regions and outlook for still red wine
- Wine Drinker: New WineGB Industry Report 2025: UK vineyard area, grape varieties and still wine share
- Wine Spectator: How is rosé wine made?: Methods for making rosé
- Decanter: What’s the perfect serving temperature for red wine?: Serving temperatures and chilling times for reds
