Tour and Tasting at Weingut Wirsching (VDP) in Iphofen, Franken, with Dr. Uwe Matheus - Germany "From Berlin to Frankfurt" 2023 (Saale Unstrut, Sachsen, Franken, Württemberg) by ombiasy

Germany "From Berlin to Frankfurt" 2023 (Saale Unstrut, Sachsen, Franken, Württemberg) by ombiasy WineTours took place from Monday, June 19, 2023 to Thursday, June 29, 2023. 

In Franken, we visited 5 wineries.

Weingut Seufert in Iphofen, Franken. See: Tasting at Weingut Seufert in Iphofen, Franken, a Niche Producer of "Natural Wines", with Laura Seufert - Germany "From Berlin to Frankfurt" 2023 (Saale Unstrut, Sachsen, Franken, Württemberg) by ombiasy WineTours

Weingut Wirsching (VDP) in Iphofen, Franken

Weingut Weltner (VDP) in Rödelsee, Franken

Weingut Juliusspital (VDP) in Würzburg, Franken

Weingut Rudolf May (VDP) in Retzstadt, Franken

At Weingut Wirsching we were rceceived by General Manager Uwe Matheus, as we were on the prvious visit in 2015. See: Tour and Tasting at Weingut Wirsching in Iphofen in Franken with General Manager Uwe Matheus – Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015) 

Weingut Hans Wirsching wines are among the few Franken wines that are exported to the USA, through: German Wine Collection. 

Franken

Franken, located in the northern part of Bavaria, boasts a long winemaking tradition and some fine terroirs (mostly shell limestone and Keuper, a kind of marl). Its two leading grape varieties are Riesling and Silvaner. 

Typically, Franken wine comes in the distinctive, dumpily-rounded Franken “Bocksbeutel” wine bottle. The bottle’s unusual shape dates back to at least the 16th century. The Bocksbeutel can only be used for Franken wines.

With delicate vegetal aromas and moderate acidity, wines made from the Silvaner grape are the perfect pairing for the white asparagus that emerges from the earth to fill German grocery stores and market stalls annually between April and June and graces lunch and dinner tables literally every day during that period. There is a young generation of winemakers that consider Silvaner as a national counterpoint to Burgundian Chardonnay or Saumur Chenin Blanc.

Weingut Wirsching (VDP) in Iphofen, Franken

The Wirsching family has been producing wine since 1630 in the village of Iphofen. It is one of the largest privately-owned wineries in Germany. 

In the early 1960s two brothers, Hans Wirsching Jr. and Dr. Heinrich Wirsching, ran the estate. Hans Wirsching Jr. focused on winemaking and Dr. Heinrich Wirsching on all other aspects. Thanks to their dedication to Iphofen's vineyards, Iphofen has developed into one of the leading wine-growing communities in all of Franken. The 'new style' that Hans Wirsching had given his wines - fresh, reductive, elegant and slim - has become a trademark. 

The early passing of Hans in 1990 did not change the qualities that make Wirsching wines special. The public face of the winery is Andrea Wirsching, daughter of Dr. Heinrich Wirsching. Together with her younger half-sister, Lena, they are carrying on the 350-year family wine making tradition. 

The iconic Iphöfer Julius-Echter-Berg is one of Franconia's prime vineyard sites. Its namesake is the famous Prince Bishop Julius Echter of Mespelbrunn.

Hans Wirsching Sr. is considered 'The Father' here, because in the early 1920s it was his idea to name the best vineyard site of Iphofen 'Julius-Echter-Berg'.

Weingut Hans Wirsching - German Wine Collection

Weingut Hans Wirsching is one of the largest privately owned family estates in Germany, situated in the picturesque medieval town of Iphofen in Franconia, 1.4 hours east of Frankfurt. Now in its 14th generation, the Wirsching family with CEO Andrea Wirsching produces 37,000 cases on 225 acres of vineyards. They focus on Silvaner (40%), the signature grape of the Franconian wine area. 20% of their vineyards are planted with Riesling, the classical German grape, and 7% with Scheurebe, a fruity grape with aromas like Sauvignon Blanc.

In 1630 Hans Wirsching donated a vineyard to the Abbey at Ebrach. The sale is one of the first instances documenting the Wirsching family’s involvement in wine. Throughout the centuries the Wirsching’s have continued their love for, and involvement in, the business of agriculture and wine growing.

In the late 19th century, the phylloxera plague devastated the European wine industry. Andreas Wirsching died at an early age, and his widow focused on a shop which fed children in the village. Andreas’ passing could have easily spelled the end of wine production for the Wirsching family. However, in 1918, Andreas’ son Hans Wirsching returned from World War I. Hans was only 23 at the time, but he made the decision to put all of his energy into rebuilding the vineyards. He not only restarted the winery, but also began the painstaking process of replanting the vineyards with American rootstocks. Hans obtained Scheurebe cuttings from the Annaberg in the early 1950s (like Karl Fuhrmann at Pfeffingen / Pfalz) and transplanted them in the Kronsberg vineyard. We can credit both the Wirsching and Pfeffingen estates, and their pioneering efforts, for making a place for the Scheurebe grape in German viticulture.

Terroir: “Keuper” (Jurassic Clay) is a sediment stone from the time when dinosaurs walked through the swamps 220 million years ago. Layers of Gypsum within that stone give the wines low acidity. The wines of Iphofen are full bodied with hints of herbaceous aromas and elegant fruit components.

As member of the elite wine association VDP-Die Prädikatsweingüter they have very high production and quality standards. The quality levels are VDP.Gutswein (estate), VDP.Ortswein (village), VDP.Erste Lage (Premier Cru), VDP.Große Lage (Grand Cru). Wirsching is member of Fair N’Green, a sustainable certificate.

Weingut Wirsching (Franken/ Germany) in New York at the Wine Spectator Wine Experience 2022, USA/ Germany

Stefan Schindler: Germany is not only Riesling! The oldest document mentioning SILVANER in Germany dates back to 1659, and that’s why the wine-region Franken calls itself „Silvanerheimat“ – the home of Silvaner. 

 

At this year’s New York Wine Experience, organized by Wine Spectator magazine, only one German wine-estate (God knows why?) was invited to pour its wines, and it was not one of the well-known Riesling estates along the Rhine and Mosel rivers. 

 

Andrea Wirsching of Weingut Hans Wirsching in Franken came to New York and was more than happy that for once Silvaner was in the limelight. And I am sure it was not the last time… . 

 

The Wine Spectator/ Kristen Bieler: Speaking of rare birds, the white variety Sylvaner is one that even those of us who taste wine for a living don’t frequently encounter. Most come from Germany, a country that doesn’t get the love and attention it deserves from American wine drinkers, IMHO. This year, Hans Wirsching, a fantastic producer from the Franken region, will be pouring the estate’s 90-point 2019 Silvaner Iphöfer Julius-Echter-Berg GG (the “GG” means a wine is dry and from a grand cru vineyard), which has a fascinating combination of concentration and austere minerality.

 

2023 Visit

Arriving

Cellar Tour

Tasting

Bye-bye

Germany "From Berlin to Frankfurt" 2023 (Saale Unstrut, Sachsen, Franken, Württemberg) by ombiasy WineTours (Released and Forthcoming Postings)

Announcement: Exciting ombiasy Wine Tours in 2023

ombiasy WineTours: Wine Tour Schedule 2023 - Austria, Germany/East, Burgundy/ Champagne, Germany/ North

Announcement: Austria 2023 by ombiasy WineTours - 12 Days: May 28 - June 08, 2023

Announcement: The Wine, Concert, and History Tour - Germany-East 2023 by ombiasy WineTours - Monday, June 19 - Thursday, June 29, 2023 

Summery: Germany "From Berlin to Frankfurt" 2023 (Saale Unstrut, Sachsen, Franken, Württemberg) by ombiasy WineTours

City Tours: Berlin and Potsdam - Germany "From Berlin to Frankfurt" 2023 (Saale Unstrut, Sachsen, Franken, Württemberg) by ombiasy WineTours

Steak Tartare at Restaurant Borchardt, Berlin-Mitte - Germany "From Berlin to Frankfurt" 2023 (Saale Unstrut, Sachsen, Franken, Württemberg) by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Born in Salzatal-Höhnstedt, Saale-Unstrut, with Elisabeth and Günter Born - Germany "From Berlin to Frankfurt" 2023 (Saale Unstrut, Sachsen, Franken, Württemberg) by ombiasy WineTours

Tour and Tasting at Niche Wine Producer Weingut Herr & Frau Lüttmer, in Vitzenburg, Saale-Unstrut, with Klaus Lüttmer - Germany "From Berlin to Frankfurt" 2023 (Saale Unstrut, Sachsen, Franken, Württemberg) by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Landesweingut Kloster Pforta in Bad Kösen, Saale-Unstrut, with Paula Löber, 2022 Wine Princess of  Bad Kösen - Germany "From Berlin to Frankfurt" 2023 (Saale Unstrut, Sachsen, Franken, Württemberg) by ombiasy WineTours

In Naumburg, Saale-Unstrut: Concert and Tour of the Organ at St. Wenzel Church with the Organist and Tour of the Naumburg Cathedral - Germany "From Berlin to Frankfurt" 2023 (Saale Unstrut, Sachsen, Franken, Württemberg) by ombiasy WineTours

Tour and Tasting at Weingut Pawis (VDP) in Freyburg, Saale-Unstrut, with Christian Pawis - Germany "From Berlin to Frankfurt" 2023 (Saale Unstrut, Sachsen, Franken, Württemberg) by ombiasy WineTours

Wine Pairing Dinner at Restaurant Zufriedenheit in Naumburg, Saale Unstut, with the Wines of Weingut Hey (VDP) and Weingut Böhme und Töchter (VDP) - Germany "From Berlin to Frankfurt" 2023 (Saale Unstrut, Sachsen, Franken, Württemberg) by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting at Weingut Gussek in Naumburg, Saale-Unstrut, with André Gussek - Germany "From Berlin to Frankfurt" 2023 (Saale Unstrut, Sachsen, Franken, Württemberg) by ombiasy WineTours

Leipzig: City Tour and Concert at Gewandhaus Leipzig with the full Gewandhaus Orchestra - Germany "From Berlin to Frankfurt" 2023 (Saale Unstrut, Sachsen, Franken, Württemberg) by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Martin Schwarz (VDP) in Meissen, Sachsen, with Philipp Henke - Germany "From Berlin to Frankfurt" 2023 (Saale Unstrut, Sachsen, Franken, Württemberg) by ombiasy WineTours

Lunch at Restaurant/ Weingut Vincenz Richter in Meissen, with Julian Herrlich - Germany "From Berlin to Frankfurt" 2023 (Saale Unstrut, Sachsen, Franken, Württemberg) by ombiasy WineTours

Tour and Tasting at Weingut Schloss Proschwitz, Prinz zur Lippe (VDP) in Meissen, Sachsen, with Robert Kroos and Björn Probst - Germany "From Berlin to Frankfurt" 2023 (Saale Unstrut, Sachsen, Franken, Württemberg) by ombiasy WineTours

Tour and Tasting at Sächsisches Staatsweingut Schloss Wackerbarth in Radebeul, Sachsen - Germany "From Berlin to Frankfurt" 2023 (Saale Unstrut, Sachsen, Franken, Württemberg) by ombiasy WineTours

Dresden: Lunch at Coselpalais Grand Café and Tour of the “Historisches Grünes Gewölbe” (Historic Green Vault) in the Royal Palace - Germany "From Berlin to Frankfurt" 2023 (Saale Unstrut, Sachsen, Franken, Württemberg) by ombiasy WineTours

Nabucco by Giuseppe Verdi at Semperoper Dresden, Sachsen - Germany "From Berlin to Frankfurt" 2023 (Saale Unstrut, Sachsen, Franken, Württemberg) by ombiasy WineTours

Visit of the Deutsch-Deutsches Museum in Mödlareuth, Töben, Thüringen, with Lunch at Turnhallen Gaststätte in Töpen, Bavaria - Germany "From Berlin to Frankfurt" 2023 (Saale Unstrut, Sachsen, Franken, Württemberg) by ombiasy WineTours

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

Schiller’s Favorite Wine Taverns in Würzburg

Concert (Bamberger Symphoniker) at the Würzburg Residence in the Imperial Ballroom (Mozart Festival) - Germany "From Berlin to Frankfurt" 2023 (Saale Unstrut, Sachsen, Franken, Württemberg) by ombiasy WineTours

Tasting at Weingut Seufert in Iphofen, Franken, a Niche Producer of "Natural Wines", with Laura Seufert - Germany "From Berlin to Frankfurt" 2023 (Saale Unstrut, Sachsen, Franken, Württemberg) by ombiasy WineTours

Tour and Tasting at Weingut Wirsching in Iphofen in Franken with General Manager Uwe Matheus – Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Tour and Tasting at Weingut Wirsching (VDP) in Iphofen, Franken, with Dr. Uwe Matheus - Germany "From Berlin to Frankfurt" 2023 (Saale Unstrut, Sachsen, Franken, Württemberg) by ombiasy

Tasting at Weingut Weltner (VDP) in Rödelsee, Franken, with Paul Weltner

Wine Dinner at Weinstuben Weingut Juliusspital in Würzburg, Franken

Walk in the Vineyard, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Rudolf May (VDP) in Retzstadt, Franken, with Rudolph and Benedikt May

Light Lunch at Restaurant Rose in Bretzfeld-Blitzfeld, with Owner/ Chef Willi Carle

Vineyard and Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Fürst Hohenlohe-Öhringen (VDP) in Öhringen-Verrenberg, Württemberg, with the New Managing Director Carl-Julius Cromme

Walk in the Vineyard and Tasting at Weingut Schlossgut Hohenbeilstein (VDP) in Beilstein, Württemberg

Dinner at Restaurant Lamm Hebsack in Remshalden, Württemberg, with Owners Markus (Kitchen) und Sylvia Polinski (Service)

Tasting at Weingut Beurer (VDP) in Kernen, Württemberg, with Jochen Beurer - Germany "From Berlin to Frankfurt" 2023 (Saale Unstrut, Sachsen, Franken, Württemberg) by ombiasy WineTours

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting with Rainer Schnaitmann at Weingut Rainer Schnaitmann in Fellbach, Württemberg – Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), Germany

Cellar Tour and Tasting Weingut Schnaitmann (VDP) in Fellbach, Württemberg, with Rainer Schnaitmann

Light Lunch at Rotenberger Weingärtle in Stuttgart

Tasting at Up and Coming Weingut Lassak in Hessigheim, Würrtemberg, with Stefanie and Fabian Lassak 

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Graf Neipperg in Schwaigern, Württemberg – Germany-East Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Dinner at Restaurant Zum Alten Rentamt at Weingut Graf Neipperg (VDP) in Schwaigern, Württemberg, with Neipperg Wines from Württemberg and Bordeaux

Tasting at Weingut Dautel in Württemberg with Christian Dautel - Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Dautel (VDP) in Bönnigheim, Württemberg, with Ernst and Christian Dautel