Our history

2019

Christof Queisser, Rotkäppchen-Mumm Sektkellereien GmbH, is named President.

2017

The association celebrates its 125th anniversary.

2016

Nikolaus Graf von Plettenberg, Sektmanufaktur Schloss VAUX AG, is named President.

2013

Dr Wilhelm Seiler, Sektkellerei Schloss Wachenheim AG, is named President.

2007

Dr Hans-Henning Wiegmann, Henkell & Söhnlein Sektkellereien KG, is named President.

1999

Dr Wolf H. Pröpsting, Henkell & Söhnlein Sektkellereien KG, is named President.

1989

Hanns Christof Wegeler, Sektkellerei Deinhard, is named President.

1971–1974

Revision of the wine law. The European Commission lifts the restriction on the term ‘Sekt’, eliminating the state monopoly on Sekt. Winegrowers and winemaking cooperatives can now turn wine into Sekt.

1969

The new wine law, which protects the term ‘Sekt’ for German-made products, takes effect. The official approval number is introduced as a seal of quality.

1951

Diether Hummel, Sektkellerei Burgeff & Co., is named president.

1945

Two associations for German Sekt producers are founded in the occupation zones: Verband Deutscher Sektkellereien der französischen Zone and Verband Deutscher Sektkellereien Großhessen.

1939

The tax on sparkling wines is reintroduced.

1935

Due to Nazi legislation, a team of specialists – Schaumweinindustrie der Wirtschaftsgruppe Lebensmittelindustrie – supersedes the association in 1935.

1933

Sparkling wine becomes tax-free. The sparkling wine tax law is lifted, resulting in mandatory cooperative advertising. The message: everyone can afford Sekt and should treat themselves on special occasions.

1929

Christian Adalbert Kupferberg takes the chair (formally from 1932).

1925

The term ‘Sekt’ is legally acknowledged.

1919

The Treaty of Versailles protects the term ‘Champagne’ for France, which up until that point is the word commonly used by the German public for Sekt.

1902

The Sekt tax of DM 0.50 per bottle is introduced to finance the Kaiser’s fleet.

1892

15 German Sekt producers found the Syndikat der Schaumweinfabrikanten (syndicate of sparkling wine producers).