Physiological maturity is generally reached 7–14 days before Müller-Thurgau.
Sunlight written into its name
Early ripeness.
Golden energy.
Solaris was bred in 1975 at the State Viticultural Institute in Freiburg. Norbert Becker crossed Merzling with Gm 6493 to create a white PIWI variety capable of ripening reliably in cooler winegrowing regions.
Its name evokes the sun: the variety accumulates sugar remarkably early and can produce generous, fruit-driven wines. Its distinction lies in bringing ripeness, aromatic expression and natural vineyard resilience together.
Variety passport
Its identity,
in six precise points.
- Origin
- Freiburg, Germany
- Crossing year
- 1975
- Breeder
- Norbert Becker
- Parents
- Merzling × Gm 6493
- Breeding number
- FR 240-75
- VIVC number
- 20340
01
02
03
04
05
06
Anatomy of the variety
Green-gold berries.
Light beneath the skin.
Solaris forms medium-sized, generally only lightly shouldered bunches with a moderately loose structure. Round berries move from green to golden yellow as they ripen and become gently translucent in warm light.
Medium bunch A conical, fairly regular outline retains a natural sense of lightness.
Round berries Green-yellow skins take on a golden tone at full maturity.
PIWI resilience Selected to reduce pressure from the principal mildews of the vine.
In the vineyard
A fast path to ripeness.
A precise harvest.
Energetic growth rewards attentive canopy and fruit-zone management.
The fruit builds ripeness quickly, making harvest timing central to balance.
Good resistance to the main fungal diseases supports more responsible cultivation.
Aromatic spectrum
Orchard fruit.
Exotic light.
Solaris brings ripe apple and peach together with citrus, flowers and a more exotic touch of mango. In richer expressions, honey and a discreet line of spice may also emerge.
At Talaska
Freiburg innovation.
Melsztyn sunlight.
On Talaska’s south-facing slope, Solaris can make full use of the light above the Dunajec Valley. Early ripening is an advantage in a cooler climate, while the site’s airflow helps preserve healthy fruit and the freshness needed to frame its natural generosity.
Role in the collectionRipe fruit · generosity · freshness
Botanical sources
Prepared from the State Viticultural Institute Freiburg, VIVC records and variety documentation from the Julius Kühn-Institut.
Variety index