Since 1980, Cornelia Heymann-Löwenstein and Reinhard Löwenstein have been making first-class Riesling in the spectacular terraced landscape of the lower Mosel Valley, with its steep vineyards that are very hard to work.
The Winningen estate has been a member of the VDP since 1997. Reinhard has repeatedly stressed how important the provenance and origin of wine are to him, and how important sustainable viticulture is. He has even published a book on his philosophy: what "terroir" means.
Riesling is grown almost exclusively on the estate's 14 hectares. The vineyards include the Grosse Lage sites UHLEN, RÖTTGEN, KIRCHBERG and STOLZENBERG, and the wines from the different UHLEN plots are vinified separately according to their different slate soils.
The slate lets the vines' roots reach down as far as 25 metres, drawing minerals and nutrients from the soil to give the wines their fullest expression.
In the cellar, the estate relies on spontaneous fermentation without added yeasts, after brief skin contact. A long period of contact with its own lees, up to six months, gives the wine the chance to reach its full potential. This combination creates unique terroir wines of great character. With their daughter Sarah, the next generation is ready to put its own personal stamp on the estate.
