This variety was selected from wild vines – presumed to be from vines lining the Danube River - and through the centuries carefully selected. It is supposed to be a natural combination of Traminer and Österreichisch Weiss ("Austrian white"). The name Silvaner originates from Transylvania.
It is proven that Silvaner was introduced into Germany in the years of 1659 and 1665 as the abbot Alberich Degen from the Cistercian Abbey of Ebrach brought the vines to Franconia. In the Rheinpfalz region (Palatinate) it was called Österreicher ("Austrian") or Frankenriesling ("Franconian Riesling").

Mother: unknown
Father: unknown

Year of breeding: 
Country of origin: Austria
Breeder/License holder: clone breeders
Number of clones: 

Year of entry into the German Federal Office's Varieties Register: 
Area planted in Germany in :         hectares
Because of its reliability of crop, it was the most widely planted variety in Germany; 60% of the vineyards in the 1950's.
Area planted in England (as at August 2004): none

Wine Character - colour: 
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Silvaner wines are elegant with a powerful bouquet of delicate aromas. When grown in 'Muschelkalk' (shell limestone) soils, Silvaner wines can be very fruity. They can prove too powerful in heavy soils. In good years, the wines become heavy and lingering as though they are plastering the palate.

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Time of veraison: 
Time of harvest: very late, too late for UK

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Susceptibility to - Oidium:                           - Peronospora: 
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Winter Pruning:                      eyes/buds per sq. metre of land occupied by the plant.

Advantages: 

Disadvantages: ripens too late for the UK

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