175 years of Müller-Thurgau: The world-famous legacy of the Swiss vine breeder

2025 marks the 175th anniversary of the birth of Hermann Müller-Thurgau (1850-1927), an outstanding Swiss botanist, plant physiologist, oenologist and vine breeder. He is considered one of the most influential Swiss polymaths. His name is inextricably linked with the Müller-Thurgau grape variety, which is still appreciated worldwide today.

Hermann Müller was born on 21 October 1850 in Tägerwilen in the canton of Thurgau. His father was a master baker and winemaker, which may have sparked Müller's interest in botany and viticulture.

After studying in Zurich and Würzburg, he became a professor in Geisenheim (DE) in 1876, where he began developing a new grape variety. His crossbreeding experiments aimed to combine the aroma of Riesling with the early ripening of other varieties. In 1890, he took over the management of the experimental station for fruit, wine and horticulture in Wädenswil, where he further optimised his breeding.

Müller's most important legacy is the breeding of the grape variety Müller-Thurgau, named after him – he himself chose the name affix ‘Thurgau’ as a reference to his homeland.

For a long time, it was assumed that it was a cross between Riesling and Silvaner. Only modern DNA analysis showed that the variety originated from Riesling and Madeleine Royale. Nevertheless, the erroneous name Riesling-Silvaner has been retained in Switzerland.

A special anecdote in the history of the Müller-Thurgau vine is the smuggling trip across Lake Constance at night in April 1925. At that time, viticulture on the German shore of Lake Constance was in crisis. The import of new varieties was bureaucratically cumbersome and often prohibited. Two winegrowers are said to have smuggled hundreds of vines of this variety across Lake Constance from Switzerland to Germany in order to cultivate them there. This risky action laid the foundation for the successful cultivation of the variety on the German shore of Lake Constance.

The Müller-Thurgau grape is characterised by its adaptability and fruity aroma. It quickly became popular and is now widely grown in many wine-producing regions in Europe and around the world. In Germany, it was the most frequently cultivated grape variety from the 1960s to the 1990s – and even today it is still one of the most successful new varieties in Europe

In addition to his work as a vine breeder, Müller-Thurgau also did pioneering work in the study of vines. Among other things, he investigated the flowering biology of the vine, metabolic processes, vine diseases such as downy mildew, and the control of alcoholic fermentation. He is also considered a trailblazer in the production of unfermented fruit juices and thus a pioneer of the modern fruit juice industry.

Numerous events will be held in 2025 to mark the 175th anniversary of the birth of Hermann Müller-Thurgau:

• Wine Museum on Lake Zurich: The 2025 programme will be dedicated to Müller-Thurgau, with exhibitions and events honouring his life and work.

• 100 years of Müller-Thurgau at Lake Constance: the region is celebrating the anniversary of the grape variety with special events and offers for wine lovers.

• In collaboration with Lake Constance Tourism, Agro Marketing Thurgau and the Müller Thurgau Foundation, Schaffhauserland Tourism will open a cycling and hiking trail in April/May at Lake Constance, where digital info points convey the life of Hermann Müller.

• The Experience Müller-Thurgau association was founded especially for the anniversary year. You can find an overview of all events on the website.