Geisenheim Yeast Breeding Center

But it was Julius Wortmann on whose initiative the foundation of the renowned yeast breeding center in 1894 took place under director Rudolf Goethe.

This center continued and transferred the pathbreaking studies of Louis Pasteur and Emil Christian Hansen, achieved by isolating pure yeast and the dissemination of these, of which in practice makes a significant contribution to the improvement of quality in winemaking.

[1] Julius Wortmann succeeded Goethe as director on 1 April 1903 of the educational institution for wine, fruit and horticulture (the official name since 1901).

In 1905 a modern winery was founded, with a wine press house and the educational establishment acquired the Geisenheim vineyard ″Fuchsberg″ still famous today comprising 5 ha of grape stock.

In 1924 the "yeast breeding center" was integrated in the "plant physiological experimental station" of the educational and research institute for wine, fruit and vegetables and horticulture under the direction of Prof. Dr. Karl Kroemer.