Pinot Gris – 2025

Grauburgunder by Oliver Zeter, partially fermented in wood

The Grauburgunder from Oliver Zeter is a dry white wine from the Palatinate, with grapes grown on the loess, loam, and limestone soils of the Southern Palatinate. One-third of the 2025 vintage was spontaneously fermented in large wooden barrels and used barriques, while the rest fermented slowly in stainless steel.

Grauburgunder 2025 is the current vintage of this white wine from Oliver Zeter in the Palatinate, and the color of the berry skins can give it a delicate hint of rosé. With 12.5% ABV, juicy fruit, and a fine melt, it is a perfect companion for autumn and winter.

Grapefruit, lychee, and a delicate melt

The 2025 Grauburgunder from Oliver Zeter has a nose of grapefruit and lychee, with calm pome fruit reminiscent of ripe pears and apples underneath. On the palate, it is juicy and full-bodied. A delicate melt rounds out the fruit, while herbs reminiscent of a summer meadow provide a fresh finish.

If you look closely, you might discover a pink shimmer in your glass. Grauburgunder is a close relative of Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir), and its berries have greyish-pink skins that can impart some color to the must during pressing. Depending on the vintage, this hue can be more or less intense, and it is part of the grape variety's nature.

One-third ferments in large wood

The grapes grow in the Southern Palatinate on southern slopes where loess and loam soils sit atop limestone. Because the vines are trained on a single arch and thinned in the summer, fewer grapes ripen, allowing them to accumulate more flavor. A green manure cover crop between the vine rows helps the soil retain its nutrients. As soon as the grapes arrive at the winery, a bladder press gently squeezes them.

The fresh must clears itself as the lees settle, and then the paths diverge. Two-thirds ferment at 18 degrees in stainless steel, doing so slowly to preserve the fruit. The remaining third ferments spontaneously in large wooden barrels and used barriques, as the wood imparts less of its own spice than a new barrel would.

Afterward, the wine rests on the fine lees for a while before being bottled, unfined and lightly filtered. You can read more about small oak barrels and their effect on wine in our guide to barriques.

Zander, roasted pumpkin, and lemon chicken

Pan-seared zander with mashed potatoes, oven-roasted pumpkin, and roast chicken with lemon and thyme are the dishes that pair most naturally with this Grauburgunder from Oliver Zeter. Its fullness supports the roasted aromas, while its freshness highlights the lemon. It also pairs well with veal ragout with mushrooms.

Served well-chilled at around 10 degrees, its fruit comes through clearly, and the screw cap makes it easy to save an opened bottle for the next day. For a celebration, it is also available in a six-bottle case.

If the pink shimmer has put you in the mood for an authentic rosé, you will find it in the Free Run Rosé 2025. Everything else we carry from this winery is listed on our Oliver Zeter page.

Grauburgunder 2025 – a white wine and its technical specs

• Origin: Germany
• Growing region: Palatinate
• Oliver Zeter, Neustadt an der Weinstraße
• Grape variety: Grauburgunder
• Aging: Stainless steel and large wood
• Screw cap
• 12.5% ABV alcohol
• 1.9 g/l residual sugar
• 5.3 g/l acidity