Rebholz
The Rebholz winery has been a pioneer in organic winemaking for over fifty years. Third-generation winemakers Hansjörg and Birgit Rebholz have nurtured their 20-hectare farm using organic and biodynamic methods in the southern Palatinate since 2005. The world-class terroir-driven wines of the farm, which enjoys a cult reputation, are made by hand from 30-70-year-old vines. The importance of soil and minimal intervention in the production of top wines has been at the core of Rebholz's winemaking philosophy for generations.
The farm's nurseries are located in three different environments - each with unique flora and fauna. The actual estates are located along the famous Weinstrasse in the Southern Palatinate, where limestone dominates the soil. The 6.5-hectare Im Sonnenschein vineyard cultivates Riesling, Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc, as well as small amounts of Gewürztraminer and Muskatelier. On the side of the same orchard is a small 1.5-hectare plot of Ganzhorn, whose Riesling vines produce uniquely aromatic grapes from the gravelly and colorful sandstone soil. The 3.5-hectare Kastanienbusch, covered in rust-red slate, is among the elite of the Rebholz nurseries. The most wonderful dry rieslings of not only Germany, but perhaps the whole world, are produced here.
Although the activities of the Rebholz family in winemaking can be traced all the way back to the 17th century, the farm was shaped into its current form in the hands of Hansjörg's grandfather Eduard Rebholz (1889-1966). Eduard, who worked as an expert in forestry, applied his scientific teachings to winemaking as a protest against the commercial wines and artificial flavor profiles of the time. While studying the climate, different soils and the varieties best suited to each soil, he defined the practices of organic winemaking in accordance with his own strict regulations. Quite radical at a time when not adding sugar and not regulating the acidity was considered very risky. The elder Rebholz was awarded the prestigious Ökonomierat title, which is a tribute to meritorious agricultural experts, that speaks of wider appreciation. Even today, Rebholz's wines are not chaptalized and the acid balance is not modified. The wines also do not undergo malolactic fermentation, and are authentic expressions of their vintage and origin. The style of the house's wines is extremely clean, dry and crystal clear.
Today, Rebholz has no shortage of honors in the wine world. Hansjörg won the Gault Millau winemaker of the year award back in 2002. The same gentleman was named Falstaff's winemaker of the year in 2013. In addition, Rebholz has been awarded the best possible classification of five grapes on the Gault Millau scale. The farm has been part of the VDP of the Palatinate region, the association of the best wineries in Germany, since 1991, and Hansjörg has been the chairman of the organization since 1999. Not at all funny achievements from a farm that for a long time enjoyed only the appreciation of a small inner circle.
The producer has a respect-BIODYN certificate.
