Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Visit and Tasting at the Sächsisches Staatsweingut Schloss Wackerbarth in Radebeul, Sachsen - Germany-East Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture, History - Berlin, Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen, Württemberg, Franken

Picture: Visit and Tasting at the Sächsisches Staatsweingut Schloss Wackerbarth in Radebeul, Sachsen - Germany-East Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture, History - Berlin, Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen, Württemberg, Franken

The baroque Wackerbarth castle was built in 1727 by Count August Christoph von Wackerbarth. The castle looks back on a volatile history and changed hands multiple times. In 1928 a wine estate was founded at the castle, which even survived the GDR times. During GDR times it became a socialist co-operative VEG (volkseigener Betrieb / company owned by the people). Along the Radebeul vineyards, where counts once resided and the court of Augustus the Strong used to hold glittering parties, today there is an ultra modern winery owned by the State of Saxony, who took over the castle, grounds, and vineyards after reunification.

Picture: The Modern Winemaking Facilities

The Schloss Wackerbarth wines benefit from very favorable climate conditions. The Elbe river dampens the harsh winters and the vineyards are on steep sun-kissed slopes. Schloss Wackerbarth is famous for its Sekt, produced according to the Méthode Champenoise.

We toured the baroque Schloss Wackerbarth and the modern winemaking facilities, before sitting down in the tasting room for a portfolio tasting of Sächsisches Staatsweingut Schloss Wackerbarth.

Picture: Sächsisches Staatsweingut Schloss Wackerbarth

Weingut Schloss Wackerbarth

The Sächsisches Staatsweingut Schloss Wackerbarth is located in Radebeul in Sachsen and owned by the Federal State of Sachsen. It is Germany’s 11th largest wine estate.

This beautiful style palace was one of the many pleasure palaces and country residences build near Dresden under Augustus the Strong. Schloss Wackerbarth was constructed by Christoph August von Wackerbarth, who was a Minister in the government of August the Strong, between 1727 and 1730. After his death, the castle was inherited by Joseph Anton Gabaleon von Wackerbarth-Salmour and had in the following 200 years various owners, including Dresdner Bank.

Pictures: Touring Schloss Wackerbarth

In 1952, after World War II, it became the socialist wine co-operative VEG Weinbau Radebeu. Efforts to privatize the wine co-operative after the fall of the Berlin Wall by the Treuhand privatization organization in 1989 were not successful and the estate finally was taken over in 1992 by the Federal State of Sachsen. In 2002 the State of Sachsen decided to renovate the castle and transform it into a “Erlebnisweingut” with an educational mission.

Pictures: The Vineyards of Weingut Schloss Wackerbarth

The vineyard area totals 94 hectares. Some of the vineyards are terraced and on steep slopes, along the Elbe river. The main grape varities are Riesling (25 ha), Elbling (12 ha), Müller-Thurgau (10 ha), Kerner (9 ha) and Pinot Blanc (7,5 ha) as well as Pinot Noir, Dornfelder and Regent.

Pictures: The Modern Winemaking Facilities of Weingut Schloss Wackerbarth

The Wines we Tasted

Pictures: Tasting at Weingut Schloss Wackerbarth

2014 Schloss Wackerbarth Pinot Brut Sekt

Spätburgunder, Weissburgunder, Grauburgunder
Fermented in large wooden barrels
24 months on the lees


2016 Schloss Wackerbarth Goldriesling Trocken


2017 Schloss Wackerbarth Bacchus Trocken

Artist: Mario Götze born 1964 in Halle/ Saale


2017 Schloss Wackerbarth Goldener Wagen Edition 1950, Spätlese trocken

Field blend: Traminer, Riesling, Grauburgunder, Silvaner


2015 Schloss Wackerbarth Radebeuler Goldene Wagen Riesling Spätlese trocken


2016 Schloss Wackerbarth Radebeuler Goldene Wagen Traminer Spätlese


Postings: Germany-East Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture, History - Berlin, Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen, Württemberg, Franken (Published and Forthcoming)

Germany-East Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture, History - Berlin, Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen, Württemberg, Franken

Vineyard Tour and Tasting at the Königlicher Weinberg Klausberg Project in Sanssouci, Potsdam

Vineyard Tour and Tasting at Weingut Dr. Lindicke in Werder an der Havel, Brandenburg, with Katharina Lindicke

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Günter Born in Salzatal, Saale-Unstrut, with Elisabeth Born

Vineyard Visit and Wine Tasting Lunch at Weingut Hey in Naumburg, Saale-Unstrut, with Matthias Hey – Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Wine Pairing Dinner at Restaurant Zufriedenheit in Naumburg, with Chef Robert Klaus and his excellent food and Uwe Lützkendorf, Weingut Lützkendorf, and his world-class wines

Tasting at Weingut Uwe Lützkendorf, with Uwe Lützkendorf, in Bad Kösen, Saale-Unstrut – Germany-East Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours

Schiller's Favorite Winemakers in the Saale Unstrut Region, Germany

Visit and tasting at Landesweingut Kloster Pforta in Bad Kösen, Saale-Unstrut, with Managing Director Björn Probst

Weingut Kloster Pforta: Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting with Managing Director Christian Kloss – Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Wine and Music: "Martin Luther Lunch" at the Historic Vincenz Richter Restaurant, Weingut Vincenz Richter, in Meissen with Senior Boss Gottfried Herrlich and the Music of Bach, Mozart and Beethoven – Germany-East Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour and Tasting at Weingut Schuh in Coswig, Sachsen, with Katharina Pollmer-Schuh and Matthias Schuh - Germany-East Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture, History - Berlin, Saale-Unstrut, Sachsen, Württemberg, Franken

Tour and Dinner at Weingut Schloss Proschwitz - Prinz zur Lippe in Zadel, Sachsen, with Georg Prinz zur Lippe - Germany-East Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours

Visit and Tasting at the Sächsisches Staatsweingut Schloss Wackerbarth in Radebeul, Sachsen

Wine and Opera in Dresden: Mozart at Semper Opera and the Best Wines of Sachsen at Wine Bar Weinzentrale in Dresden-Neustadt, with Owner/ Sommelier Jens Pietzonka – Germany-East Tour 2017 by ombiasy WineTours

Schiller's Favorite Winemakers in Sachsen (Saxony), Germany

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Aldinger in Fellbach (Stuttgart), Württemberg, with Matthias Aldinger

Vineyard Walk, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Karl Haidle in Kernen-Stetten, Württemberg, with Moritz Haidle 

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Dinner at Weingut Graf Adelmann Burg Schaubeck in Steinheim-Kleinbottwar, Württemberg; with Count Adelmann

Cellar tour and Tasting at Weingut Zehnthof, Theo Luckert in Sulzfeld, Franken, with Philipp Luckert

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Staatlicher Hofkeller in Würzburg, Franken, with General Manager Marcel von den Benken – Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours

Visit and Tasting at Weingut Am Stein Ludwig Knoll in Würzburg, Franken - Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Wine Pairing Dinner at 1 Michelin Star Restaurant Reisers am Stein, Würzburg, Franken

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Rudolf Fürst in Bürgstadt, Franken, with Sebastian Fürst

Tasting and Tour with the Pinot Noir Legend Paul Fürst, Weingut Rudolf Fürst in Bürgstadt, Franken – Germany-East Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Visit and Tasting at Weingut Benedikt Baltes in Klingenberg, Franken, with Benedikt Baltes: The Wines of Weingut Benedikt Baltes and of Weingut Julia Bertram

Schiller’s Favorites: 2 Legendary Wine Taverns in Würzburg – Juliusspital and Bürgerspital

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Taverns in Würzburg

Monday, July 30, 2018

Promenade au Fleckenstein: Dinner at L'Auberge du Cheval Blanc (2 Stars Michelin) in Lembach, Alsace, with Chef Pascal Bastian - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

Picture: Promenade au Fleckenstein: Dinner at L'Auberge du Cheval Blanc (2 Stars Michelin) in Lembach, Alsace, with Chef Pascal Bastian

In terms of food, the Germany South/ Alsace Tour is arguably the best of the 3 Germany tours by ombiasy WineTours.(The Germany North Tour shines with world-renowned winemakers and the Germany East Tour with culture and history.)

This year, the dinner we had at L’Auberge du Cheval Blanc in Lembach was the best we had among a number of top meals during the 2018 Germany South/ Alsace Tour.

L’Auberge du Cheval Blanc in Lembach, Alsace, is a 4 star, beautiful place with pool and spa facilities. close to the German border in Wissembourg. run by Monsieur et Madame Bastian. Pascal Bastian is a 2 Michelin star chef and the restaurant is known for its refined cuisine known well beyond the Alsace region.

Chef Pascal Bastian has trained at top restaurants in Switzerland and France– among them the 2 Michelin star restaurant La Plaissance in Saint-Emilion, before he acquired the Auberge Cheval Blanc and its restaurant in 2008. It did not take him long to be awarded with 1 Michelin star and shortly after with the 2nd Mchelin star.

We had dinner there and stayed at the Auberge du Cheval Blanc for one night.

Pictures: L’Auberge du Cheval Blanc in Lembach, Alsace

L'Auberge du Cheval Blanc Lembach

Gastronomic Restaurant in Lembach

Cheval Blanc: An authentic 18th century coaching inn, located in the heart of a charming village in Alsace. The Cheval Blanc - Lembach is an Alsatian restaurant with a rich history, where fine cuisine is served in a welcoming atmosphere.

Discover a prestigious establishment that has lost none of its original character. The spacious and warmly decorated dining room features parquet flooring, coffered ceilings, wood panelling and stained-glass windows. A period fireplace adds a further touch of warmth to the interior.

Located in Lembach, not far from Haguenau and less than an hour from Strasbourg, our authentic gastronomic restaurant promises special moments to share. Enjoy seasonal cuisine in a cosy and refined atmosphere. The dishes created by Chef Pascal Bastian and his team offer a culinary experience that deliciously blends tradition with modern influences.

The restaurant was awarded its first Michelin star in 2009, followed by a second in 2015 – a success that we are proud to share.

Pictures: Meeting Maître d'hôtel Carole and Chef Pascal Bastian

Cuisine that blends Tradition with Modern Influences

Comfortably seated at a table in our gastronomic restaurant, enjoy seasonal dishes with subtle local flavours that pleasantly surprise the taste buds. The menu created by two-Michelin-star Chef Pascal Bastian gives pride of place to local Alsatian produce, with modern and imaginative creations, such as traditional foie gras with Gewurztraminer wine, 'Duwehof' pigeon, fillet of 'Fleckenstein' venison, hare à la royale with spätzle, and soufflé pancakes with kirsch.

The menu also features a number of delightful discoveries for the palate, including exotic chutney, crispy risotto, red onion tempura, and more...

Experience an original culinary voyage, with a number of pleasant surprises along the way, from the local flavours, to the presentation of the dishes, the cooking and the seasoning.

Guide Michelin

Guide Michelin: Dans le charmant village de Lembach, à moins d’une heure de Strasbourg en Alsace, se trouve la prestigieuse Auberge du Cheval Blanc. Avec deux étoiles au guide MICHELIN, le restaurant au cachet d’antan offre une cuisine de saison mêlant tradition et modernité.

Pictures: Chef Pascal Bastian - 2 Stars Michelin

Pascal Bastian saura ravir vos papilles. Le chef du restaurant est curieux et nous propose à la carte des associations de goût et de produits étonnants et innovants. Ainsi à l’Auberge du Cheval Blanc, vous pourrez vous laisser surprendre par les de ris de veau rôtie infusée au foin ou encore par les tourteaux et le caviar « Osciètre ».

Situé dans un ancien relais de poste du 18ème siècle, plongez dans une ambiance au charme ancien. L’Auberge du Cheval Blanc possède un cadre chaleureux grâce à ses boiseries et sa cheminée. A l’entrée du restaurant, ne manquez pas la fabuleuse vue sur le ballet des cuisiniers.

Pictures: A View of the Kitchen from the Aperitif Area of the Restaurant

Au bord du parc régional des Vosges, le restaurant de L’Auberge du Cheval Blanc vous promet un voyage culinaire d’exception.

Le mot de l'inspecteur: Ce noble relais de poste (18es.), aujourd'hui mené par Carole et Pascal Bastian, allie charme alsacien et raffinement contemporain : c'est un plaisir que de voir vivre ainsi de telles institutions... Le chef maîtrise aussi bien le classicisme que l'inventivité, sa carte est riche et pleine de finesse : autant de caractère séduit !

2 étoiles MICHELIN : une cuisine d’exception. Vaut le détour !

Pictures: Dinner at L’Auberge du Cheval Blanc

Pascal Bastian: Après avoir été classé second au concours du « Meilleur Apprenti du Grand Est de la France », Pascal BASTIAN découvre pour la première fois, l’auberge du Cheval Blanc, de 1996 à 98, où il évoluera comme commis de cuisine aux côtés de Fernand Mischler.

Chef de partie dans de grands restaurants gastronomique tel que "Le Pont de Brent" en Suisse, "Palm Square » à Cannes puis au Château de Reynats, dans le restaurant du Chef Philippe Etchebest, puis à « l'Hostellerie de Plaisance » à Saint Emilion, il achève son chemin à l'Arnsbourg en tant que second de cuisine avant de reprendre les rènes du Cheval Blanc.

Dinner at L'Auberge du Cheval Blanc: Promenade au Fleckenstein


Bread


Greetings from the Chef


Quail's Egg in Sugar Crust Infused with Coriander Seed


Marinated Alsatian Beef with Sesame and Roasted Peanut
Organic Corn Sabayon, Malto "Farmer Bacon"


Pike-perch Fillet Roasted in Salted Butter, Green Asparagus from South of France
Smoked Eel and Jus with Vin Jaune


Carrot Sorbet with Citrus Fruits, Bergamot Jelly


Roasted Morbihan Duckling Fillet, Variation of Alsation Rhubarb
Black Olive "Kalamata"


Mousse of Apple and Cottage Cheese
Feuille a Feuille of Reinette Apple, Hibiscus Sorbet


Petits Fours


Breakfast a L'Auberge du Cheval Blanc

The next morning we enjoyed a wonderful breakfast at L'Auberge du Cheval Blanc before heading north to the Pfalz region (Germany).

Picture: Breakfast at L'Auberge du Cheval Blanc

schiller-wine: Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen - All Postings (Published and Forthcoming)

The Sun-Kissed South: Germany’s Pinot Noir, the Other Whites, the Culinary Regions - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

Sekt: Cellar Tour and Tasting at Griesel&Compagnie, Sekthaus Streit, Bensheim, with Winemaker Rachele Crosara - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

Lunch at 1 Michelin Star Restaurant Landhaus Feckl in Ehningen, with Chef Franz Feckl and Host Manuela Feckl - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

The Evolving Structure of the Wine Industry in Germany – The Case of the Lake Constance Region

Schloss Salem at Lake Constance in Germany: A Museum, a School and a Wine Estate

Visit of Schloss Salem, Kirche Birnau and Weingut Markgraf von Baden - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Staatsweingut Meersburg in Meersburg, Baden, Lake Constance (Bodensee) - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

2 Cellar Tours and 1 Tasting at Weingut Ziereisen in Efringen, Markgräfler Land, Baden, with Hanspeter and Edel Ziereisen - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Pinot Noir Star Producer Weingut Martin Waßmer in Bad Krozingen, Markgräfler Land, Baden - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

Dinner at Restaurant Schwarzer Adler, 1 Star Michelin, Oberbergen, Kaiserstuhl, Baden - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting and Cellar Tour at Weingut Hunn in Gottenheim, Tuniberg, Baden, with Kilian and Martina Hunn - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: Baden, Alsace, Pfalz and Rheinhessen

The World Class Wines of Alsace

In the world class white wine region Alsace

Tour and Tasting at Domaines Schlumberger in Guebwiller, Alsace - Germany-South and Alsace 2017 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Rieflé-Landmann in Pfaffenheim, Alsace, with Paul Rieflé - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Massive Tasting at Domaine Rolly-Gassmann in Rorschwihr, Alsace, with Pierre Gassmann - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Pfister in Dahlenheim, Alsace, with Melanie Pfister - Germany-South and Alsace 2018 Tour by ombiasy WineTours

Dinner at 2 Michelin Star Restaurant Auberge du Cheval Blanc, Alsace

Wine Tasting at Weingut Friedrich Becker – Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014)

Vineyard Tour and Massive Tasting at Weingut Siener in Birkweiler, Pfalz, with Owner/ Winemaker Peter Siener

Schiller's Favorite (Wine-) Restaurants in Deidesheim in the Pfalz, Germany

Dinner Tasting at the Vinothek/ Wine Tavern of Weingut Bürklin-Wolf, with the Managing Director of Weingut Bürklin-Wolf, Steffen Brahner

Extensive Vineyard Tour and Tasting at Weingut Reichsrat von Buhl in Deidesheim, Pfalz, with General Manager Richard Grosche

Winemaker Dinner at Weingut Reichsrat von Buhl in Deidesheim, Pfalz, Germany 

Tasting and Cellar Tour at Weingut Battenfeld-Spanier/ Kühling-Gillot in Hohen-Sülzen, Rheinhessen, with Carolin Spanier

The Wine Maker Couple H.O. Spanier and Carolin Spanier-Gillot, with Roland Gillot, Lead Wine Tasting of Kuehling-Gillot and Battenfeld-Spanier Wines at Weingut Kuehling-Gillot, Germany

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Wagner-Stempel in Siefersheim, Rheinhessen, with Oliver Müller and Cathrin Wagner

Cellar Tour, Tasting and Lunch at Weingut Schloss Westerhaus in Ingelheim, Rheinhessen, with the Owners Countess and Count von Schönburg-Glauchau and Technical Director Toni Frank

Tasting at Weingut Knewitz in Appenheim, Rheinhessen

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Taverns in Mainz, Germany