schiller-wine: Tour and Tasting at Weingut Wittmann in Westhofen, Rheinhessen, with Philipp Wittmann - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Picture: Tour and Tasting at Weingut Wittmann in Westhofen, Rheinhessen, with Philipp Wittmann

Weingut Wittmann in Westhofen has been in the hands of the Wittmann family since 1663. Attachment to the native soil runs deep and in order to leave a legacy of healthy soil and vines the vineyards are farmed biodynamically. The old vaulted underground cellar with its consistent temperature provides the perfect conditions for the wine to ferment spontaneously with its own natural yeast in wooden casks. The 30 hectares of vineyards are planted primarily with Riesling. Because of the almost mediterranean climate in southern Rheinhessen, the Burgundy grapes also have a long tradition in viticulture.

Pictures: At Weingut Wittmann

Philipp Wittmann, the current owner, regularly gets awards for his wines. Philipp Wittmann is married to Eva Clüsserath-Wittmann, who owns and runs her own winery in the Mosel. Eva was at her estate in the Mosel Valley during our visit of Weingut Wittmann.

The visit of Weingut Wittmann took place during the 2017 harvest. The new wines were already fermenting in the cellar. When we arrived, Philipp Wittmann was working in the cellar. He welcomed us in the old vaulted underground cellar and talked a bit with us. However, for security reasons (CO2) we could not stay long with him in the cellar.

We toured the impressive wine cellar and had a tasting in the modern tasting room.

Pictures: Philipp Wittmann - Welcome!

Weingut Wittmann

For several centuries the Wittmanns have been wine farmers in the town of Westhofen, in the southern part of Rheinhessen. Today, Philipp Wittmann and Eva Clüsserath-Wittmann (who herself is a gifted winemaker who also owns and runs her own winery in the Mosel valley) and Philipp’s parents Günter and Elisabeth Wittmann divide the tasks running the 25 hectare estate.

Philipp Wittmann: The Wittmanns and their ancestors have been wine-growers in the old market town of Westhofen, in southern Rheinhessen, where the first documented of viticulture in the family dates from 1663. Today’s estate developed from this long tradition over the course of centuries. The length of an estate’s viticultural tradition really says nothing about the quality of an estate’s wines. Perhaps, though, it does say something about the bond one has with the piece of land that one cultivates. Since 1990, we have cultivated our vineyards according to controlled ecological guidelines, and since 2004, biodynamically. By doing so, our soil will remain healthy for future generations, too.

Pictures: In the Barrel Cellar with Philip Wittmann

Vineyards

Riesling is the dominant grape of choice but also the Pinot varietals (Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris) and Silvaner have a long tradition in Westhofen. Philipp makes many wines, but the estate is famous for its 4 Grosse Lage sites and the Grosses Gewächs wines it produces there: Morstein, Kirchspie, Brunnenhäuschen and Aulerde. Morstein GG is seen as Phillip Wittmann’s his greatest wine but each of them is special in their own way.

Phillip Wittmann: Aulerde is our warmest site. Westhofen's southern to southeastern vineyard slopes rise from the glacial valley of the Rhine to the rim of a high plateau. The Aulerde vineyard lies at the foot of the protective eastern and southeastern slopes of the Kirchspiel site. The vines here are facing slightly south. The upper layers of a small portion of Aulerde are heavy clayish marl with only a very small amount of limestone. The subsoil contains clayish or gravelly sand (it is only here that we grow our Riesling vines). However, most of the site consists of meter-high layers of loess.

The Kirchspiel site opens toward the Rhine like an amphitheater. Its southern and southeastern exposure protects the vines from cold westerly winds – and accounts for the excellent microclimate of the vineyard. The soil structure is similar to that of the Morstein site, marked by clayish marl interspersed with limestone. Limestone is the predominant component of the subsoil, too.

Picture: VDP.Rheinhessen President Philipp Wittmann, Weingut Wittmann, and VDP.Rheinhessen Vice-President H.O. Spanier, Weingut Battenfeld-Spanier and Weingut Kühling-Gillot, with Annette Schiller, ombiasyPR and WineTours

The Brunnenhäuschen site is situated east of Morstein and above the Steingrube site. Due to its altitude, grapes ripen slowly and harvesting usually takes place after a very long growing season. The finest portion of Brunnenhäuschen is in the old parcel known as “Abtserde.” We cultivate half a hectare (1.2 acres) of Riesling here. This site is marked by clayish marl that is rich in limestone. Due to a high iron oxide content, parts of the soil are reddish in color, also referred to as “terra rossa.” The subsoil is interspersed with large limestone rocks.

Morstein is situated on the south-facing slope that stretches from Gundersheim to Westhofen. The subsoil consists of massive limestone rocks. The first documented mention of the site dates from 1282. Today, we own about 4 ha (10 acres) in the best (southeastern exposure) parcel of this vineyard. The upper layer of soil is primarily heavy clayish marl interspersed with limestone. The subsoil is also heavy and marked by layers of limestone that help circulate water. This ensures that the vines are well supplied with nutrients and minerals, and accounts for the mineral character of our Morstein wines.

Pictures: Philipp Wittmann and Eva Clüsserath-Wittmann, Weingut Wittmann, with Annette and Christian Schiller at Prowein 2015 in Düsseldorf. See: Prowein 2015 in Düsseldorf, Germany – Schiller’s Impressions

Picture: Günter and Philipp Wittmann

Loosen Bros./ USA

In the US, Weingut Wittmann is imported by Loosen Bros./ USA, the wine import company of Ernst Loosen and his brother.

Loosen Bros./ USA: A (bio)dynamic Family Estate in Germany's Rheinhessen Region.

The Wittmann family has been growing grapes and producing wine in the small Rheinhessen village of Westhofen since 1663. Today, the estate cultivates 62 acres of vines in the rolling limestone hills found in the southern part of the region, just west of the Rhine river valley. They have been pioneers in developing the full-bodied, well-balanced style of dry wines for which the region has become known. And they were early adopters of organic (1990) and biodynamic (2004) viticulture.

Riesling is the dominant grape variety, accounting for 65% of the estate’s vineyard area. They also produce the three Pinot varieties (Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir), as well as Silvaner. In addition, small quantities of Scheurebe, Chardonnay and some minor varieties are grown.

The estate has as its foundation the pursuit of balanced wines that have tension, depth and intensity, but at the same time fresh and elegant. Philipp Wittmann looks for natural balance in the vineyards, in order to slow the ripening process and harvest grapes that have fully developed flavors, but are not overripe. The Wittmann family has developed a deep bond with the land they cultivate. This respect for nature and commitment to quality earned Philipp Germany’s Winemaker of the Year 2014.

See: Weingut Wittmann now with Dr. Loosen Imports in the USA

Pictures: Tasting

The Wines we Tasted

2016 Weingut Wittmann Silvaner trocken
2016 Weingut Wittmann Riesling trocken
2015 Weingut Wittmann Westhofener Silvaner trocken

2016 Weingut Wittmann Aulerde Riesling GG trocken

Robertparker.com “The Wine Advocat °233” (Stephan Reinhardt) Oktober 31st, 2017: 92 points, Aulerde Riesling GG 2016: “The 2016 Aulerde Riesling GG is purer, fresher and more mineral than ever before. Coming from deep and coolish marly soils and vines planted in 1951, this is a flinty/smoky and lemony Riesling with stunning purity and a coolish character. Pure, fresh and intense on the silky-textured palate, this is a well-structured, intense but still elegant dry Riesling with ripe fruit flavors, fine grippy tannins and lingering salinity. One of the finest Aulerede GGs I can remember.” Drink 2018-2032

2016 Weingut Wittmann Kirchspiel Riesling GG trocken

Robertparker.com “The Wine Advocat °233” (Stephan Reinhardt) Oktober 31st, 2017: 92 points, Kirchspiel Riesling GG 2016: “From an east-facing, very calcareous grand cru that gives more spicy rather than fruity flavors, the intensely yellow colored 2016 Kirchspiel Riesling GG offers a pure, chalky and spicy nose with concentrated, ripe Riesling aromas intermixed with crushed stones. Full-bodied, intense and concentrated on the palate, this is a juicy, silky and elegant Riesling with stimulating concentration and salinity. Very fine and complex. An impressive Riesling from chalk.”

2016 Weingut Wittmann Morstein Riesling GG trocken

Robertparker.com “The Wine Advocat °233” (Stephan Reinhardt) Oktober 31st, 2017: 94 points, Morstein Riesling GG 2016: “The 2016 Morstein Riesling GG is super clear, fresh and intense but also pure, fine and chalky on the nose, indicating remarkable finesse and complexity. The attack on the palate is really fresh if not piquant, the wine pure, fresh and mineral, with almost no flesh but lots of salt and minerals as well as fine, juicy tannins. Still terribly young but precise and well-defined, this is an endlessly salty and stimulating Morstein for a long-distance run. Gorgeous and very promising in its finesse, elegance and purity. A classic from late-ripening grapes. Great, great finesse here and a very long, pure finish.” Drink 2020-2040