
Without the dedicated voluntary commitment of our board members, Maxime Herkunft Rheinhessen would not be what it is today.
Our board brings together expertise, strong networks, genuine passion and a clear vision for the future of viticulture in Rheinhessen. Each member contributes unique experience and perspective, playing a decisive role in strengthening the quality and character of our wines.
Together, they are committed to preserving the region’s traditions while advancing new ideas that position Rheinhessen as a dynamic and forward-looking wine region.

Johannes Geil-Bierschenk
Hello, my name is Johannes Geil Bierschenk, my home is the Oekonomierat Geil Erben winery.
As Chairman of Maxime Herkunft Rheinhessen, I represent around one hundred leading wineries in our region.
Since 2017, we have been the advocate for top quality and origin characterisation of Rheinhessen wines, in the tradition of the ‘Message in a Bottle’ group.
Our focus is on establishing the three-tier system of estate, local and site wines. This makes it possible to optimally present the diversity of Rheinhessen with its different soils and climatic conditions.
The Maxime Herkunft Rheinhessen not only works outwards, but also into the region. We see ourselves as a role model and driving force for Rheinhessen and are actively involved in shaping the winegrowing policy and legislation of our region. Our aim is to raise the profile of Rheinhessen as a dynamic wine region and to continuously improve the quality of our wines.

Elisabeth Muth
I am Elisabeth Muth, owner of the VDP estate Rappenhof in Alsheim. Since returning to the family winery in 2018, I have focused intensively on the marketing of our wines and the positioning of the region.
Rappenhof has a long-standing history dating back to 1604, and I am proud to carry this legacy forward as the 13th generation of my family. Our aim is to produce wines that reflect the distinctive character of our region while placing quality and sustainability at the forefront.
In my role on the board as Vice Chair of Maxime Herkunft Rheinhessen, I support the development and implementation of marketing strategies designed to increase the visibility of the region’s wines and to spark consumer interest. A key element of my work is the campaign “Wir sind Rheinhessen”, which highlights both the origin and the quality of Rheinhessen wines and positions the region as an attractive destination for wine tourism.

Christian Hannemann
Hello - I am Christian Hannemann.
As a new board member of Maxime Herkunft Rheinhessen and fourth-generation winemaker at the Heiligenblut winery in Alzey-Weinheim, I, Christian Hannemann, together with my brother Martin, have been focussing on a new interpretation of classic Rheinhessen grape varieties since 2018. Our low-intervention wines reflect our philosophy: honesty, connection to nature and individuality. My international experience and exchange with colleagues have shaped my view of the wine world.
At Maxime Herkunft Rheinhessen, I would like to contribute to establishing the region as a source of outstanding wines characterised by their origin. Our aim is to preserve tradition and at the same time pursue innovative paths in order to position Rheinhessen as a dynamic wine-growing region.to the origin and to Rheinhessen! Cheers!
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Julius Wasem

I am Julius Wasem, the treasurer of Maxime Herkunft Rheinhessen e.V. and I manage the Wasem winery in Ingelheim, which has a long tradition in viticulture. My family has been growing wine since 1726 and I founded the winery in 1912. I was one of the first producers to bottle and market my own wines. Under my management, the estate covers 24 hectares of vineyards planted with different grape varieties, including Pinot Noir, Riesling and Silvaner. We attach great importance to natural and environmentally friendly viticulture and also offer bottle-fermented sparkling wines in addition to our wines. As treasurer of Maxime Herkunft Rheinhessen, I contribute to the financial transparency and stability of the association, which is committed to promoting the quality and origin character of wines from Rheinhessen.
Matthias Runkel
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I am Matthias Runkel from the Bischel winery in Appenheim. My main task at Maxime Herkunft Rheinhessen is to support and integrate new members.
Together with my brother Christian, I run the Bischel winery, which specialises in producing high-quality wines and has been a member of the Association of German Prädikat Wine Estates (VDP) since 2019. Our winery has made a name for itself through its consistent focus on natural viticulture and the production of wines that reflect the specific terroirs of the region. I attach great importance to the careful cultivation of the vineyards in order to optimise the unique characteristics of the sites such as Scharlachberg, Heerkretz and Hundertgulden.
In my role as guidelines officer, I am responsible for checking and ensuring compliance with the association's quality standards. I take care of the new admissions of wineries that are committed to the high standards of the Maxime Herkunft Rheinhessen. With my expertise, I help to further strengthen the quality and reputation of Rheinhessen wines. I therefore not only embody the tradition and innovation of the Bischel winery, but also the commitment to the Rheinhessen winegrowing culture within the framework of the Maxime Herkunft Rheinhessen.
Sina Mertz

I am Sina Mertz, a passionate winemaker and a driving force behind the Mertz winery, which is located in the picturesque ‘Rheinhessische Schweiz’ region in the west of Rheinhessen.
Our winery is known for its high-quality wines, which reflect the character and tradition of the rather lesser-known region of Rheinhessen. We have been a member of Maxime Herkunft Rheinhessen e.V. since 2018. My reasons for becoming actively involved on the board are to exchange ideas with other members. I would like to contribute ideas to Maxime events and give the less popular part of Rheinhessen a platform through Maxime Herkunft to show wine lovers that Rheinhessen still has a lot to offer.

Jens Windisch
Hello everyone,
I’m Jens Windisch from Weingut Werther-Windisch.
Rheinhessen is not just a wine region to me. It is home, responsibility and a daily source of drive. I grew up here, I am deeply rooted here, and I am convinced that our region holds enormous potential – if we develop it together with consistency.
That is why I am committed to Maxime Herkunft Rheinhessen. Not because being part of an association “sounds good”, but because I believe that clear origin, binding quality standards and a strong sense of togetherness make the difference.
It matters to me that we do not leave Rheinhessen to chance. That we show what we stand for. That our wines have a clear identity – and that we, as winemakers, do too.
For me, Maxime represents exactly that: a community of estates that take responsibility and are willing to define a clear profile. Not loud, but convincing.
I am pleased to contribute my part to ensuring that Rheinhessen continues to grow as a confident region of quality – with clarity, substance and genuine cohesion.

Christian Eppelmann
I am Christian Eppelmann and an active member of Maxime Herkunft Rheinhessen. Our Eppelmann winery is located in Stadecken-Elsheim and specialises in the cultivation of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling. Since my sister Corinna and I joined the estate in 2018, we have switched to organic farming and focussed on certain grape varieties. Together with my colleagues on the board, I am committed to promoting the wines from Rheinhessen nationally and internationally and establishing the region as a leading wine-growing region. Through innovative approaches and cooperation between members, we promote dynamism and innovation in viticulture. With my expertise and passion for viticulture, I contribute to establishing the Maxime Herkunft Rheinhesse as a platform for high-quality wines and to strengthening cooperation between winegrowers. On addition to my work at the winery, I trained at Geisenheim University, where I acquired valuable knowledge about viticulture and oenology. This training, combined with our family tradition in viticulture, enables me to constantly improve the quality of our wines. I am proud to work in a family business that has been in our hands for several generations and I look forward to actively shaping the future of the winery.

Johannes Thörle
I am Johannes Thörle and, together with my brother Christoph, I run the renowned Thörle winery in Saulheim, Rheinhessen. With a deep passion for viticulture and a clear vision for quality and sustainability, we have developed the winery into one of the leading businesses in the region. Our winery is run organically. We can look back on a long tradition, which I combine with fresh ideas and modern cultivation methods. Under my management as cellar master, great importance is attached to the careful care of the vineyards, with sustainable practices and a respectful approach to nature taking centre stage. I am convinced that the best wines come from healthy, well-managed vines, and as an active board member of Maxime Herkunft Rheinhessen e.V., I am committed to promoting the quality and reputation of wines from Rheinhessen. I not only contribute my expertise to the association, but am also committed to cooperation and exchange among the region's winegrowers. My aim is to position Rheinhessen as one of the most exciting wine regions in Germany and to make the diversity and excellence of Rheinhessen wines accessible to a wider public.

Johannes Gröhl
I am Johannes Gröhl, winemaker and committed member of Maxime Herkunft Rheinhessen. As part of a new generation of winegrowers in our region, I bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to our association. I run our family winery in Rheinhessen with passion and the aim of further developing the quality and character of our local wines. As an active member of Maxime Herkunft Rheinhessen, I am committed to strengthening the profile and reputation of Rheinhessen wines both nationally and internationally. Together with my colleagues in the association, we are working to make the diversity and quality of our wines accessible to a wide audience, and I am particularly committed to promoting sustainable winegrowing methods and preserving our traditional grape varieties, while at the same time being open to new approaches and techniques. I am convinced that by combining tradition and innovation, we can further establish Rheinhessen as a dynamic and forward-looking winegrowing region, and I see the Maxime Herkunft Rheinhessen as an important platform for promoting dialogue between winegrowers and working together on the future of our region. I look forward to contributing my part to further positioning Rheinhessen as a source of outstanding wines characterised by their origin and to leading our wine culture into the future.

Fritz May
I am Fritz May and a committed member of the board of Maxime Herkunft Rheinhessen. I represent the traditional Karl May winery, which has been in the family for seven generations. With my deep connection to the Rheinhessen region and my passion for viticulture, I play a central role in the planning and realisation of important events such as the Maxime Open and the Bottle Show, contributing not only my expertise but also my vision for the future of viticulture in Rheinhessen. My aim is to promote the quality and diversity of the wines from this region and bring them closer to a wide audience. Through my involvement in Maxime Herkunft Rheinhessen, I actively contribute to strengthening the wine culture in Rheinhessen and putting innovative ideas into practice. I am convinced that through co-operation and creativity we can combine the tradition of viticulture with modern approaches in order to further establish the wines from Rheinhessen.
