Country of Origin: Germany
Location: Pfalz
People: Made expressly for Weinbiet
The Estate & Background:
The
Winzergenossenschaft Weinbiet is a well regarded association of 100 vintners in
Neustadt-Mußbach, along the scenic Weinstraße (Wine Road) in Germany’s Pfalz region. The village of Mußbach has
been a well-known producer of Traminer varietals dating back to the 19th
century.
Founded in 1902,
the Vintner Association of Mußbach allowed many of the small producers in the
area for the first time to sell their wines year round. Today, the
Association’s vineyards stretch across 300 hectares and is considered to be one
of the Pfalz region’s top 3 vintner associations.
About 60% of
production is white and 40% focused on red varietals. With 33%, Riesling is the
most important grape varietal at Weinbiet, followed by a number of red
varietals including Dornfelder and Pinot Noir. Gewürztraminer makes up only 2%
of total production, which is representative of the grape’s low yields and
demanding growing conditions.
The Winemaker’s Philosophy: Weinbiet focuses
on producing wines in harmony with nature. This means that grapes are grown in
a sustainable fashion, including the use of pheromones to encourage the
development of beneficial insects that can keep disease in check. It also includes labor-intensive foliage
cutbacks to increase ventilation in the vineyard and better exposure of the
grapes to sunshine.
At Weinbiet, wine
is made with a combination of traditional and modern methods. Starting with the
gentle pneumatic pressing of the grapes and ending with the
temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks, wine making is
focused on creating a high concentration of natural fruit aromas.
The Terroir:
With 1800 hours
of sunshine per year, the Pfalz is one of the warmest regions in Germany, able
to produce such warm climate products as figs, kiwis and lemons. Soils consist
either of loess / clay or are relatively dry and sandy. Many of the
Association’s vineyards are protected from rain and thunderstorms by the
Weinbiet Mountain to its east. The microclimate is dry and warm and the vines
are especially exposed to morning sun, extending the hours of sunshine the
grapes receive per day.
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