Weingut Hofmann in Rheinhessen and Weingut WillemsWillems in the Saar (Mosel) are jointly led and owned by the winemaker couple Jürgen Hofmann and Carolin Hofmann (nee Willems). They both studied at the Geisenheim University (but not at the same time) before taking over their families’ wineries (Jürgen in 1999 and Carolin in 2001). Since 2006, both wineries have come under a joint roof, with Jürgen and Carolin assuming joint responsibility for both wineries. The family home is in Rheinhessen.
Annette Schiller, ombiasy PR and WineTours, and I visited Weingut Hofmann in Rheinhessen with the Collegium Vini, an association of wine lovers in the Frankfurt am Main greater region. We were received by Carolin and Jürgen, with Jürgen taking the lead in the presentation of the wines of both wineries.
Jürgen and Carolin Hofmann
Jürgen Hofmann studied winemaking at the University of Geisenheim during 1993 and 1997, including internships in California and South Africa. He then worked for Reh-Kendermann until 2006. In addition to his main job, he took over the family’s winery in 1999.
Carolin Hofmann (nee Willems) studied winemaking at the University of Geisenheim during 2000 and 2004, including internships at Weingut Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt, Trier, Weingut Deutzerhof, Ahr, and in South Africa and Australia. She then worked at a wine distribution company until 2006. In addition to her main job, she took over the family’s winery in 2001.
Since 2006, they are jointly in charge of both wineries, with Carolin taking the lead at Weingut WillemsWillems and Jürgen at Weingut Hofmann.
Weingut Hofmann
Weingut Hofmann was founded in 1971 in Appenheim, when Jürgen’s parents converted the mixed agricultural operation into a winery. Son Jürgen, after his studies, then pushed winemaking at Weingut Hofmann to new quality levels, by investing into new wine cellar equipment, focusing on the best vineyards and planting new grape varieties. More recently, Jürgen and Carolin built an ultra-modern winery including a posh tasting room on the outskirts of Appenheim.
Weingut Hofmann’s vineyards are limestone based. 14 hectares. 10.000 cases.
Weingut WillemsWillems
As her husband Jürgen, Carolin Hofmann grew up in the winery of her parents. For 5 generations now, women have been at the helm of the winery. The winery was a mixed agricultural operation until 1971. Then Carolin’s grand-mother married a distant cousin with the same name and Weingut WillemsWillems was borne.
When Carolin took over in 2001, she shifted the focus of Weingut WillemsWillems to premium dry wines, contrasting with the dominance of sweet-style wines prevailing in the region. As a result, in 2010 she became Stuart Pigott’s “Young Winemaker of the Year” and in 2013 won the “Best of Riesling Award” in the category Dry + Below 12,5% alcohol.
Weingut WillemsWillems vineyards are slate-based. 4,5 hectares. 2500 cases. 90% Riesling.
The Wines we Tasted
Thanks
Thank you very much for a great tasting.
A Couple of Days Later at the Roter Hang
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