Named Wine of the Year – Germany at the 2025 Sommeliers Choice Awards, Weingut Heitlinger’s 2017 Wormsberg GG Pinot Noir is a wine that intentionally challenges expectations. Grown on the chalk-rich slopes of the Kraichgau and farmed with extraordinary precision, 10,000 vines per hectare, low yields, hand-sorting at every step, it’s a wine rooted in place as much as craft. With its notes of rose, pomegranate, and fine tannins, it’s also a reminder of just how expressive and age-worthy German Pinot can be. For Patrick Jacklin, who leads international sales and marketing at Heitlinger, the award is both recognition and catalyst: a chance to shine a light on the potential of Baden’s lesser-known sub-regions and to build deeper connections in markets like the U.S. We sat down with him to explore what makes the Wormsberg vineyard so compelling and where Heitlinger hopes to go next.

Image: Patrick Jacklin, Winemaker.

Congratulations on taking home Wine of the Year – Germany at the 2025 Sommeliers Choice Awards. What does this recognition mean for you and the team at Heitlinger, and how do you plan to leverage it on the international stage?

It’s always rewarding to see our wines perform well in international competitions, but winning an award like this is truly special. It gives us visibility and credibility, especially in global markets. Recognition like this helps shine a light on what we’re doing at Heitlinger and opens new doors abroad.

Image: Weingut Heitlinger’s 2017 Wormsberg GG Pinot Noir crowned “Wine of the Year – Germany” at the 2025 Sommeliers Choice Awards.

The Wormsberg GG Pinot Noir is clearly something special. What is it about this particular vineyard and vintage that you think made it stand out among such strong competition?

Wormsberg is our first high-density vineyard—10,000 vines per hectare, which means significantly more work at every stage. But that effort pays off with every bottle we get to try. Add to that extremely low yields, the best vine selections, and rigorous hand-sorting, and you get something truly unique. The red limestone soil and the exceptional terroir give this Pinot Noir its remarkable character.

Claus Burmeister says, “Wine should bring the magic of a place to the palate.” How does the Wormsberg GG do exactly that for Pinot Noir and the Kraichgau?

When you taste this Pinot Noir, the place that should come to mind isn’t just the Kraichgau—it’s the Wormsberg vineyard itself, perched on the highest point of our village, Tiefenbach. It overlooks the entire region and is warm, breezy, quiet, and strikingly beautiful. The wine captures that spirit: ripe yet cool, balanced yet powerful.

Image: Claus Burmeister, Winemaker.

The Kraichgau isn’t yet a household name like the Mosel or Rheingau. What should wine lovers know about the region’s potential for Burgundian grapes, and how does your Pinot reflect that?

As a sub-appellation of Baden, the Kraichgau often flies under the radar, partly because most producers in Baden don’t reference their sub-region. That’s unusual for us Germans, who are generally quite precise! But the Kraichgau offers incredible potential for Burgundian varieties, and our Pinot Noirs are proving that point vintage after vintage.

Image: The Calcareous hills of Kraichgau.

Heitlinger leans heavily into Burgundy varieties,  Noir, Blanc, Gris, Chardonnay, and others. Why do you think these grapes thrive so well in your part of Baden?

It was the Cistercian monks in the 12th century who first recognized the potential of the Kraichgau’s chalky hills for these varieties. I firmly believe that certain grape varieties are naturally suited to specific terroirs and climates, and in our case, Pinot and Chardonnay are a perfect match.

For U.S. wine buyers and sommeliers discovering this wine for the first time, how would you describe its ideal placement—on a wine list, in a retail setting, or in the cellar?

In the U.S., I’ve seen sommeliers constantly searching for something unique to surprise their guests. The 2017 Wormsberg is now revealing its full potential after eight years. While industry insiders know the aging potential of top German Pinots, many wine lovers are just discovering it. This wine is perfect for high-end lists and shops where it can truly surprise and impress fans of Old World Pinot Noir.

Image: Pinot Noir Masterclass by Stephan Reinhardt.

Where can American wine lovers find this wine right now? Are you in any major retail chains or restaurant groups, and are there specific markets where you're seeing the most traction?

The U.S. has been a key focus for us in recent years. We've been building a solid distribution network across multiple states and will keep expanding. That said, the Wormsberg is extremely limited, so if you spot it on a list or shelf, grab it while you can!

You’re imported into the U.S. through Veritable Wines & Estates. How do you support your importers and distributors in helping move your wines, especially a flagship like the Wormsberg GG?

Three things are critical for success in the U.S.: personal presence - traveling to markets, meeting the team, and supporting sales reps directly. Second, bringing distributors to the winery - once they’ve experienced the place, they tell the story more effectively. And finally, having boots on the ground. We've had that advantage since Veritable partnered with Master Sommelier Jesse Becker, who's been instrumental in growing our U.S. presence.

Image: Team Veritable with US retailers visited Weingut Heitlinger—source: Veritable Wines & Estates.

Marketing plays such a key role today, especially when introducing consumers to premium German Pinot Noir. What channels and strategies are you focusing on: social media, tastings, restaurant partnerships, or something else?

All of the above. As a family-owned winery, our approach is more guerrilla than global - we don’t have massive budgets, so we try to create high-impact moments with limited resources. That’s why building a strong network in the U.S. is essential for us- it allows us to make the most of every opportunity.

Looking ahead, are there any new markets or partnerships you’re particularly excited about, either in Europe, the U.S., or further abroad?

I love traveling and introducing our wines to new places, so any market I haven’t been to yet excites me. I’ve already visited ten U.S. states, but there are plenty more on the list - Hawaii sounds like a great next stop!

What sustainable practices do you follow at Heitlinger that reflect your commitment to environmental stewardship in both vineyard and winery?

We’ve been organic and biodynamic for over a decade, and we’re certified sustainable as well. Continuous improvement is a core part of our philosophy. We’re proud of what we’ve achieved so far, but we're always looking for new ways to improve our carbon-positive footprint and enhance our environmental impact.

Image: Weingut Heitlinger - Cellar work.

Conclusion:

Heitlinger’s Wormsberg GG tells the story of one exceptional site while speaking to the evolution of German Pinot Noir and the people championing it with both tradition and intention. For Jacklin and the team, the Sommeliers Choice Awards win is less a finish line than a new opportunity: to introduce a wider audience to the Kraichgau, to make the case for German Burgundy, and to continue growing markets with clarity and purpose. The 2017 vintage may be limited in volume, but its impact on wine lists, in cellars, and through conversations like this one is likely to linger.

In conversation with Malvika Patel, Editor and VP, Beverage Trade Network

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