CHARACTERS
Weingut Leininger is the oldest winery in the small Franconian wine village of Eibelstadt and is now run by Florian Engelmann and his partner Laura Majewski in the fifth generation.
After two generations without a direct heir, the estate was first passed from Walter Leininger to his stepson Dieter Kilian, and later to Dieter’s adopted son Dirk Engelmann.
With the 2024 vintage, the next chapter begins: Florian has officially taken over the winery from his father.
Florian
Eight years ago, I – Florian – unexpectedly stepped into the family business. Not long after, I took over the vinification – without any formal training or a degree.
What might seem like a disadvantage at first glance has actually become my greatest strength: the freedom to make wine the way I like it. Guided by intuition and sensitivity, rather than textbooks and technology.
Laura
As a trained hotel professional, I discovered my passion for exceptional wine early on through my work both in Germany and abroad – including fine dining and Michelin-starred restaurants.I love connecting with people, sharing our craft, and inspiring others with our wines and story.That’s why, alongside my administrative responsibilities, I focus primarily on representing our winery and being its voice to the outside world.
Florian
Eight years ago, I – Florian – unexpectedly found myself stepping into the family winery. Not long after, I took over the vinification process – without formal training or a degree.
What might seem like a disadvantage at first glance has actually become one of my greatest strengths: the freedom to make wine the way I personally love it. Guided by intuition and sensitivity, rather than textbooks and technology.
Winegrowing – A Commitment Across Generations
Dirk & Monika
Monika & Dirk have been part of the winery for over 30 years. They are the heart and soul of the estate – welcoming every guest with genuine warmth, care, and attention.Whether it’s wine tastings, events, or our holiday apartments – they make sure everything is just right, so you can relax and feel at home with us.
Häger
Hägar is a beloved member of our family. Most of the time, he “guards” the courtyard and gives a warm welcome to our guests – and to anyone passing by on a walk.
Cuddles welcome!
Dirk & Monika
Monika & Dirk have been part of the winery for over 30 years. They are the heart and soul of the estate – welcoming every guest with genuine warmth, care, and attention.
Whether it’s wine tastings, events, or our holiday apartments – they make sure everything is just right, so you can relax and feel at home with us.
Hägar
Hägar is a beloved member of our family. Most of the time, he “guards” the courtyard and gives a warm welcome to our guests – and to anyone passing by on a walk.
Cuddles welcome!
ROOTS
We’re fortunate to cultivate many old vineyards in exceptional sites. With great passion and care, we tend to these old vines and vinify their grapes in a way that allows each wine to fully express its unique character.
Living Soils
Our goal is to practice winegrowing based on a holistic approach—bringing biodiversity and living systems into harmony.
We place particular importance on treating the soil with care in order to promote humus formation and support healthy soil life and activity.
Handcrafted
Working the steep slopes of our vineyards demands a great deal from us as winegrowers. It takes dedication and determination – but the unique potential of our sites more than rewards the effort.
Being deeply rooted in our Franconian homeland means everything to us. Preserving the region’s historic steep slopes is a responsibility we take seriously.
Our ambition is to craft expressive wines of origin that reflect this heritage – and we do so by following our very own path.
Our Vineyard Sites
Laura
As a trained hotel professional, I discovered my passion for exceptional wine early on through my work both in Germany and abroad – including fine dining and Michelin-starred restaurants.
I love connecting with people, sharing our craft, and inspiring others with our wines and story.
That’s why, alongside my administrative responsibilities, I focus primarily on representing our winery and being its voice to the outside world.
A Look Inside the Cellar?
Discover Our Wines
Eibelstadter Kapellenberg
Orientation: SW
Elevation: 180–220 m above sea level
Slope: 20–40%
Soil: Middle shell limestone (Mittlerer Muschelkalk) from the Triassic period
The vineyards of the “Eibelstadter Kapellenberg” site are located northeast to east of the village of Eibelstadt.
To the east, the site is interrupted by the Lindelbacher Straße and then continues along the slope known as the Bohlleite. A broad green corridor at the Bachsgraben forms the eastern boundary, separating it from the Eibelstadter Mönchsleite.
To the north, the Neue Burgswald forest protects the vines from incoming cold air.
Eibelstadter Mönchsleite
Orientation: SW
Elevation: 230 m above sea level
Slope: 45–65%
Soil: Massive shell limestone (Quaderkalk) from the Triassic period
The Eibelstadt site “Mönchsleite” stretches like a band between Sommerhausen and Eibelstadt, along the Main River in Franconia. Reaching elevations of up to 230 meters, the vineyard slopes range from steep to very steep, with inclines of 45 to 65 percent, and are oriented to the south-southwest.
The soils are rich in minerals and shaped by massive shell limestone (Quaderkalk) from the Triassic era. Even today, fossilized seashells can still be found here—remnants of a primeval sea that covered the area around 220 million years ago.
Altenberg 1172
Orientation: SW
Elevation: 230 m above sea level
Slope: 45–65%
Soil: Lower Triassic bedrock – massive shell limestone (Quaderkalk)
The Altenberg 1172 is the crown jewel of the Eibelstadt site “Mönchsleite.” It spans the two uppermost vineyard terraces, set against the monumental limestone cliffs.
History: “Altenberg” is one of the most common single-vineyard names in Germany. Traditionally, it referred to plots that winemakers kept close to the village as they aged—often their best sites—tended until the very end of their lives. The Altenberg in Eibelstadt was first mentioned in official records in the year 1172.
