General information
Johanniter is one of the best-known Piwi varieties and was developed in 1968 at the Freiburg Wine Institute. It is a complex cross of Riesling x (Seyve-Villard 12-481 x (Ruländer x Gutedel)), named after Johannes Zimmermann, the chief breeder at the time. Johanniter was bred to create a robust, disease-resistant white grape with the classic Riesling profile, but with a higher yield and less susceptibility to fungal diseases.

Grape
The bunches are medium-sized, compact, and cylindrical. The medium-sized berries have a firm skin with small dark spots, a characteristic more common in Piwi varieties.

Resistance

• Peronospora (downy mildew): ++
• Oidium (powdery mildew): ++
• Botrytis (gray mold): +++

Wine
Johanniter wine is characterized by soft, rounded acidity and a medium tannin structure. The aromas are reminiscent of ripe melon, lime, and quince. The wine is elegant and well-suited for both dry and slightly sweet vinifications.

Cultivation advice
Johanniter is very similar in growth and appearance to Riesling. It ripens at a similar time to Pinot Blanc. Ideally, choose a medium to good location without risk of late frost, as the plant sprouts early. The variety is suitable for both amateur and professional viticulture.

Preparing the vine
Growth is manageable. Good air circulation in the grapevine area is recommended to promote crop health. Johanniter adapts well to wire structures.

Ground preparation

• On calcareous soil: improve with lava grit
• On sandy soil: improve with bentonite and lava flour

Planting out
Soak your vine in a bucket of water for 24 hours. This allows it to soak up some water before planting.

Plant between May 1st and 15th. Use a soil auger or spade to dig a planting hole 10 cm in diameter and 30 cm deep. Insert the graft just above the ground, so that the vine protrudes 5 to 10 cm above the ground.

Planting distance

• In line: 1 meter
• Between rows: 1.5 to 1.8 meters