The competition is being organised for the fifth time this year. 43 wine producers have been awarded the coveted emblem "DLG-recommended vineyard" since the year 1999.

Buying wine is a matter of trust and confidence. That is why many wine lovers rely on the awards and recommendations issued by the German Agricultural Society (DLG).

However, quality is not simply restricted to the wine itself. When purchasing wine, customers want expert advice, comprehensive service, and knowledge that production can be traced back transparently, offering them the necessary security on buying.

That is why DLG now tests wine estates and winegrowers´ cooperatives too. It awards the best of these the certificate "DLG-recommended wine estate" or "DLG-recommended winegrowers´ cooperative". Only wine producers demonstrating above-average quality, environmental awareness, and customer orientation in their production methods, facilities and presentations can acquire this certificate. It is an overall, all-embracing award for quality conscious wine estates and winegrowers´ cooperatives.

The assessment extends from the start of production, through all phases of the production process, right through to the finished product and its marketing.

After the registration forms have been studied, a decision is reached as to whether a wine producer can be admitted to the tests. Every DLG-recommended wine producer must present a quality-related overall concept. On the basis of the requirement catalogues the examining commission checks on site whether all requirements are satisfied.

Following the tests any recommendations and conditions which the estate or cooperative must fulfil to obtain the certificate are formulated. The certificates are initially valid for a period of 3 years. Annual checks are conducted to review whether the wine producers continue to satisfy the criteria.