Ernst Georg Lydtin
1828, the head physician Ernst Georg Lydtin created a vineyard from a stone pit at the Winklerberg, where he planted vines from south Italy (Vesuvius). His attempt on the volcanic rocks of the Kaiserstuhl succeeded and was the origin of the biggest autonomous Wine community and noble wines at the Kaiserstuhl. A commemorative plate at the Winklerberg reminds visitors of it.
The Winklerberg rates as the warmest corner in Germany which also makes Ihringen the warmest place.
Dr. Adolf Blankenhorn (1843-1906)
Prof. Dr. Adolph Blankenhorn, son of Adolph-Friedrich Blankenhorn. He made it his life’s work to put viticulture and oenology on a scientific base, in cooperation with scholars and practitioners from all over the world. With his own financial resources he built an institute of oenology in Karlsruhe, while at the same time using the winery in Ihringen as a research and testing station for grape varieties. In 1874 he became president of the new founded German Winegrowers’ Association. He made great efforts in order to research and combat the vine pest. This insect, originally native to eastern North America and introduced to Europe in 1836, turned out to be the worst parasite for the European vines. He gained a greater understanding of viticulture in America thanks to the revolutionist from Baden Friedrich Hecker (who emmigrated to the USA from 1811-1881). He also got grape seeds from American grapes, which are resistant to the vine pests.
Gustav Großklaus
Founder of the first wine-grower cooperative of Ihringen (1924). About 200 wine-growers from Ihringen formed, out of necessity, a cooperative. The wines were matured in the rented “Rappenegger Keller”. But many arduous years had to pass before the beginning of the upswing of 1936, which came with the construction of a winery. The cooperative thought has remained. Großklaus is nowadays not only present in Ihringen, but known as the pioneer of the cooperative system.
