VDP, or the Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter, the most influential and prestigious German growers’ association, incorporating 202 (in 2014) of the finest wine estates in germany. In 1910, just two years after consolidating the top mosel estates into the grosser ring, the mayor of Trier persuaded like-minded organizations in the rheingau and pfalz to band together to form a national association for the purpose of selling its members’ wines at auction. Over the years, other regional groups joined the VDP and by the late 1990s its membership included estates in all 13 wine-growing regions. Although its collective holdings account for a mere 3.5% of Germany’s total vineyard area, this group produces a remarkable proportion of its finest wines.
