From an early age, Gerd Stepp knew his path was set. As a child, he spent countless hours alongside his parents in the family vineyard, already certain that he would carry on the tradition of viticulture. Those formative years among the vines laid the foundation for a lifelong pursuit. Gerd went on to earn formal training in viticulture and winemaking, then broadened his expertise by travelling the world—from Argentina to Zimbabwe and nearly everywhere in between. What he learned was invaluable: every terroir and every grape variety demands its own distinct approach.
Eventually, Gerd returned to his family estate in the Pfalz region of Germany, bringing with him a wealth of global experience and a clear vision for his wines. The cool climate, diverse soils, and ideal sun exposure in Pfalz offered the perfect canvas for crafting expressive Riesling, elegant Pinot Noir (his personal favourite), and distinctive Cabernet Franc, as well as Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Scheurebe.
Today, Gerd oversees every aspect of production, supported by a small, dedicated team—two or three in the vineyard, and a few more in the cellar. One of his favourite moments in the winemaking cycle comes in the final weeks before harvest. During this time, he walks through the vineyard, carefully trimming the canopy and removing any damaged or spoiled fruit to ensure only the best grapes make it to the cellar.
Looking back on a career that still has many exciting chapters ahead, Gerd often reflects on his time in Zimbabwe. The energy, passion, and positive impact of the local wine community left a lasting impression. He hopes to one day return and contribute again.
Opimian is proud to offer a wide selection of Gerd Stepp’s wines in Canada. Each one is crafted with precision, using hand-selected grapes and a low-intervention approach. With limited production, these wines offer an authentic taste of place and reflect Gerd’s meticulous craftsmanship.
This philosophy is especially evident in the Stepp Riesling Single Crus (Lot 5558). As Gerd explains, “Riesling has a long and important history. In fact, it is Germany’s signature grape. The greatness of Riesling is its ability to reflect the individuality of each vineyard’s terroir with near-perfect precision. This is intriguing and a must-do for any serious winemaker here. So I picked my most expressive vineyards based on soil types for the single Crus.”
We’re also thrilled to include two new wines from Gerd in the Cellar’s Everything but Red and Founders Choice cases. He’s excited that so many Opimian Members will get the opportunity to discover the distinctive character of his wines.
Expect vibrant, food-friendly profiles—perfect with Asian cuisine, seafood, or sushi. We can’t wait for you to experience them!
