Weingut Vollenweider Wolfer Goldgrube Riesling Kabinett 2022

Weingut Vollenweider

The story begins in 1992 when young Daniel Vollenweider had his life changed by a bottle of Egon Müller Scharzhofberger Auslese 1990, making him a true fanatic for Mosel wines. Daniel, a Swiss native with no family or professional connection to the world of wines, eventually purchased just over 1 hectare of vineyards in 1999, situated in the heart of a plot called Wolfer Goldgrube in the Middle Mosel.

Wolfer Goldgrube is one of the region's most special plots with a south-facing amphitheater exposure, once renowned but discovered by Daniel in 1999 in a state of evident decline and neglect. At a time when vineyards not suitable for mechanization were considered unattractive and of little value to local viticulturists. Goldgrube proved to be a vast genetic treasure. A significant percentage of the vines are ungrafted and around 100 years old, planted and trained in the traditional Mosel style, vertically with only one cane.

We can be grateful to Daniel Vollenweider for preserving this wonderful heritage and legacy, so we can all taste every year the fruit of his work. Daniel had a special touch for sweet wines, with the initial focus largely on Prädikat wines. The results were extraordinary – intensely rich and textured Rieslings with palate density, vibrant acidity, and depth. Early on in 2003, the estate were already receiving critical acclaim, being compared to heavyweights like Wili Schafer, J.J Prüm, and Schloss Lieser.

The philosophy in the vineyard and the cellar is straightforward and simple – all vineyard work is done by hand, without chemicals, compromises, or shortcuts. Vinification are as pure and non-interventionist as possible, all to bring us wines that are free-spirited, rich, and dense, yet infused with the energy, acidity, and characteristic depth of the Mosel and its slates.

The philosophy in the vineyard and the cellar is straightforward and direct – all vineyard work is done by hand, without chemicals, compromises, or shortcuts. Vinification is as pure and non-interventionist as possible, all to bring us wines that are free-spirited, rich, and dense, yet infused with the energy, acidity, and characteristic depth of the Mosel and its slates.

2019

In 2019, Daniel was diagnosed with advanced-stage cancer. Though known within his close circle, it was always treated with discretion. Daniel's wish was to continue in the vineyards, and he wanted his wines to be tasted without pity or influence. This led to the hiring of young Moritz Hoffman, who was quickly made a partner and the new guardian of Weingut Vollenweider. It was important to Daniel that the estate would continue, handed over for the future.

In July 2022, Mortiz faced the challenging task of continuing this magnificent work by himself, everyone wished they would have more time together. Despite the philosophy remaining unchanged, Moritz naturally brought some changes. During the 2019 harvest, he took charge of most of the work in the vineyard and cellar. Although very humbly stating that he is just continuing the legacy left to him, the dry wines produced have been considered some of the best they've ever made.