Weingut Graf von Bentzel-Sturmfeder in Schozach, Württemberg can look back to more than 600 years of history. It came into being when Count Eberhard von Württemberg gave Knight Friedrich Sturmfeder a piece of land in the forest of Schozach in fief for his services to him. The estate in Schozach sits in the midst of an ideal wine-growing terrain, the excellent quality of which was discovered centuries ago. Current owner is Kilian Graf von Bentzel-Sturmfeder, a trained winemaker who took over in 1996, the 600th anniversary of the property. He says: „My philosophy is easily explained. The vineyard is the origin, in which the treasure is sought and unearthed with all efforts at the right harvesting time. Healthy, essence-rich grapes are vinified into varietal wines or presented in a composition of a cuvée.”
Across from the winery is the country house Sturmfeder-Hotel Garni, where we stayed for the night. It is an hotel garni and only serves breakfast.
Kilian Graf von Bentzel-Sturmfeder was our host.
We arrived in the afternoon. After checking in, Kilian Graf von Bentzel-Sturmfeder took us on a winery tour, followed by an extensive tasting of his wines. For dinner, we went to a local restaurant in the village, where we were joined by Kilian Graf von Bentzel-Sturmfeder. He also had breakfast with us the following day. Before leaving and returning to Frankfurt, we went to the vineyard and took a tour there in the morning sun.
Weingut Graf von Bentzel Sturmfeder
Weingut Graf von Bentzel Sturmfeder, first mentioned in a document in 1396, is located in the typical Swabian wine village of Schozach. The 40 m long winery building lies between the bakehouse and the village square, topped by a small clock tower above the wine press. There is a variety of idyllic open-air places perfect for celebrations and wine tastings. In the baroque tasting cellar you are introduced to the secrets of the Sturmfeder family accompanied by the characteristic wines of the Schozach valley.
History
The winery was founded in 1396, when Count Eberhard von Wuerttemberg gave Knight Friedrich Sturmfeder a piece of land for his services to him. For many centuries, the winery was owned by the Sturmfeder family. The Sturmfeder family is of German origin and is mentioned for the first time in 987 at the Neudenau Abbey in Wuerttemberg. Until the mid-19th Century, wine was only made for family consumption. When the Sturmfeder family decided to buy the remaining parts of the Schozacher Roter Berg, it laid the foundations for commecial winemaking.
Through a marriage of the Sturmfeder with the Bentzel families, the name Bentzel-Sturmfeder-Horneck came about.
The history of the Counts of Bentzel started in Sweden in the middle of the first millenium. They entered Germany in the context of the 30 Years War.
Kilian Graf von Bentzel-Sturmfeder and Holger Matz
Kilian Graf von Bentzel-Sturmfeder took over the management of the family-owned winery Sturmfeder in the landmark year of 1996 –the 600th anniversary of the property. Graf von Bentzel (born in 1970) prepared for this task by completing an apprenticeship as a winegrower followed by internships at several wineries abroad (USA, Austria). It was during this time that he set himself an ambitious objective: “The terrain of the Schozacher Roter Berg has so much potential that premium wines can be produced there”, he says. Therefore he passionately approaches this task and puts a lot of effort into it, knowing that he will be rewarded by the enjoyment of the wine. “Luxury foodstuffs such as wine have to be produced with pleasure”is his philosophy.
Cellarer of the Sturmfeder winery is Holger Matz. From an early age he witnessed the different stages of the winegrowing process at his parents’ vineyard in Löwenstein. Later he completed a classic training as cellarman followed by studies at the State Institute and Research Station for Wine and Fruit Growing in Weinsberg and a degree as winegrower and cellarmaster.
Together Graf von Bentzel and Matz try to implement innovative ideas, relying on their many years of experience in traditional viticulture. Both feel a commitment to the family tradition of creating conventional wines with an individual touch.
Vineyard
Weingut Graf von Bentzel Sturmfeder compasses an area of 15 hectares. This is the Schozacher Roter Berg vineyard, which is a single vineyard (Einzellage). It is a a south-facing slope with a gradient of 45 percent. It is situated at an altitude of 280 meters above sea level. The soil consists of limestone and Keuper and has a reddish colour, which gave it its name.
The following varieties are grown there: 26 percent Pinot Noir, 25 percent Riesling, 17 percent Samtrot, 17 percent Lemberger. The rest are other varieties such as Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Meunier, St. Laurent, Dornfelder, Cabernet Dorsa and Acolon.
The Burgundy varieties with their fine and fruity bouquets and their low acidity constitute the principal variety. Particularly noteworthy is the „Samtrot“, the velvety taste of which lives up to its name (Samtrot = velvety red). The most popular white wines are the racy and fruity Riesling as well as the light Pinot Gris. In a small segment various champagnes are fermented using the labour-intensive “méthode champenoise”.
The Country House Sturmfeder
We completely rebuild the country house Sturmfeder-Hotel Garni on the century-old foundations with the large vaulted cellar. Across from the winery you and your friends or business partners can immerse yourselves in the unique atmosphere of the comital wine-growing estate.
Seven lovingly furnished double rooms and one suite with baroque details are available. The high-quality facilities are complemented by modern functionality. All rooms are equipped with internet access, telephones and flat screen TVs. The contemporary bathrooms are furnished with showers and hairdryers. Our property is wheelchair accessible! The country house offers one pet-friendly room, should you wish to bring your dog.
Tasting
Weiss
Gutswein
Zweistern** (Ortswein)
2015 Weingut Graf von Bentzel Sturmfeder Riesling** trocken
2015 Weingut Graf von Bentzel Sturmfeder Grauburgunder** trocken
Dreistern*** (Erste Lage Roter Berg)
2015 Weingut Graf von Bentzel Sturmfeder Weissburgunder*** trocken
Grosse Lage Roter Berg
2013 Weingut Graf von Bentzel Sturmfeder Riesling GG trocken
2014 Weingut Graf von Bentzel Sturmfeder Riesling GG trocken
Rot
Gutswein
Zweistern** (Ortswein)
2012 Weingut Graf von Bentzel Sturmfeder Spätburgunder** trocken
2013 Weingut Graf von Bentzel Sturmfeder Sankt Laurent** trocken
Dreistern*** (Erste Lage Roter Berg)
2014 Weingut Graf von Bentzel Sturmfeder Cuvée Souverän*** trocken
2013 Weingut Graf von Bentzel Sturmfeder Samtrot*** trocken
2014 Weingut Graf von Bentzel Sturmfeder Lemberger*** trocken
Grosse Lage Roter Berg
2012 Weingut Graf von Bentzel Sturmfeder Spätburgunder GG trocken
2010 Weingut Graf von Bentzel Sturmfeder Cuvée Grand Phillip trocken
2012 Weingut Graf von Bentzel Sturmfeder Lemberger GG trocken
Dinner with Kilian Graf von Bentzel-Sturmfeder
The day ended with a dinner at a local restaurant with Kilian Graf von Bentzel-Sturmfeder. We met him again the next morning for breakfast before heading to Frankfurt.
Postings: Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture and History (Published and Forthcoming Postings)
Germany-East Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Art, Culture and History
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