The fact that this estate is crafting some of the very best dry wines in Germany is no fluke, rather a result of nearly obsessive winemaker Stephan Attman's commitment to both dedicated cultivation of Deidesheim and Forst's best sites and meticulous work in the cellar. Under the same ownership and winemaking team, the Dr. Deinhard label is designated for fruity styles vinified in stainless steel while the Von Winning label is reserved for the Grosses Gewächs sites vinified dry and in wood. Von Winning maintains some of the oldest parcels in Grosses Gewächs vineyards smattered across Forst, Deidesheim, and Ruppertsberg. Attman's every decision is informed by great enthusiasm and experiences at estates in the Cote d'Or and abroad. For example, Attman's newer vines are planted at a very high vine density- 9500 vines per hectare, as opposed to the more typical less than 5000. This creates competition amongst the vines, forcing the roots to grow deep, naturally reducing yields. Attman has adopted the single cane trellising system, prevalent in Burgundy, and Grosses Gewächs wines ferment in 500mL French barrels. Von Winning practices organic and sustainable viticulture.
Attmann describes his winemaking as "not doing the wrong thing at the wrong time." The estate's premium wines are treated with a minimalist approach and with the highest respect in the cellar. Gentle clarification, a natural and spontaneous fermentation and the abandonment of fining agents create wines with a distinctive indigenous and very elegant style. Pumping the juice or wine is never necessary in the gravity flow winery, allowing for minimal, and gentle vinification.
Vineyard area: 40 hectares
Annual production: 23,000 cases
Vineyard holdings:
Deidesheim – Mäushöhle, Herrgottsacker, Paradiesgarten, Leinhöhle (all löss, loam, red sandstone)
Grainhübel, Langenmorgen and Kieselberg (loam, red sandstone, limestone)
Kalkofen (limestone, marl, loam)
Forst – Ungeheuer (löss, loam, sandstone, basalt)
Kirchenstück (sandy loam, red sandstone, basalt)
Ruppertsberg – Reiterpfad (sandy loam, red sandstone, limestone)
For more information, please view the Terry Theise catalog here.
Farming Practice:Practicing Organic
9d
Germany
Tasting Notes No wines have surprised and confounded me more than these in the past several years. They’re a million miles away from other German SBs,
Tasting Notes No wines have surprised and confounded me more than these in the past several years. They’re a million miles away from other German SBs,
Wine Advocate 94 "At this early stage, the citrus colored 2013 Forster Ungeheuer Riesling trocken GG (with lime green reflections) seems to be von Winning's most
Wine Advocate 94 "Deep, very clear and cool on the flinty and lemony nose, the 2014 Forster Ungeheuer Riesling trocken GG reveals lovely, spicy flavor and
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