It was created by Dr. Heinrich Birk (1898-1973) at the Geisenheim Grape Breeding Institute in 1929, by crossing Riesling with what was thought at the time to be Silvaner, but DNA markers have since indicated it was the Alsace variety Knipperlé.

[5] Ehrenfelser has found some success outside Germany, mainly in Canada, in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia.

Wineries including Cedar Creek, Lake Breeze, Gray Monk, Gehringer Brothers, Mount Boucherie, Quails' Gate and Summerhill make both still and ice wine styles.

There have also been smaller plantings in Washington state, Canterbury (New Zealand) and Australia[6][7] The grape tends to ripen earlier and produce higher yields than Riesling.

[8] Ehrenfelser derives its name from the Burg Ehrenfels ruins located on the Rhine near Rüdesheim.