Vineyard Tour and Tasting at Weingut Bischel in Appenheim, Rheinhessen, with Christian Runkel, Owner and Winemaker - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Pictures: Vineyard Tour and Tasting at Weingut Bischel in Appenheim, Rheinhessen, with Christian Runkel, Owner and Winemaker - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

The first stop on our last day of the

Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

was Weingut Bischel in Appenheim. This is an up-and-coming producer in Germany. It is the newest member of the VDP, the association of about 200 elite winemakers in Germany.

Weingut Bischel is owned and run by the “Bischel brothers” Christian and Matthias Runkel. Christian Runkel was our host. He first took us on an extensive vineyard tour. After a quick look at the winemaking facilities, we sat down with him for a tasting of his bone-dry Rieslings.

Pictures: Vineyard Tour and Tasting at Weingut Bischel in Appenheim, Rheinhessen, with Christian Runkel, Owner and Winemaker - Germany-North Tour 2019 by ombiasy WineTours: Quintessential Riesling

Eichelmann WeinGuide Deutschland 2010
Best White Wine Collection: Weingut Bischel, Appenheim (Rheinhessen)

Rheinhessen
19 hectares
20% Riesling, 20% Spätburgunder, 15% Weissburgunder, 15% Grauburgunder

Eichelmann: Weingut Bischel from Appenheim in Rheinhessen receives the Best White Wine Collection Award. Christian and Matthias Runkel have accelerated considerably in the last few years; frour years ago they were the Rising Star of the Year. And since then, they have improved further, with a great white wine collection this year, says Gerhard Eichelmann, explaining the choice of editors.

Besides stunning Riesling they produce a gorgeous Pinot-Blanc with an enchanting bouquet of flowers and vanilla, and wonderful, elegant, Pinot-Noirs. Their efforts were awarded with being asked to join the VDP. As of January 1, 2019 they are the newest member of the VDP.

Pictures: Eichelmann WeinGuide Deutschland 2010 - Best White Wine Collection: Weingut Bischel, Appenheim (Rheinhessen) (Photos: Eichelmann)

Weingut Bischel

This is a relatively young winery by German standards and one of the rising stars of Rheinhessen. Current owners are the “Bischel brothers” Christian and Matthias Runkel. They belong to the group of young, very ambitious winemakers who want to bring German wines, and of course particularly wines from Rheinhessen back into the first league of wines world-wide. Their grandfather founded the winery in 1960.

Pictures: Arriving at Weingut Bischel

Today the winery has 47 acres of vineyard in top sites in Bingen (Scharlachberg), in Appenheim (the famous Hundertgulden), and in Gau-Algesheim (Johannisberg, Sankt Laurentiuskapelle), all in northern Rheinhessen. Year after year the brothers took steps to radically improve the quality. Besides sustainable vineyard management they reduced yields and only use hand selected, perfectly ripened grapes that are spontaneously fermented with the natural yeast from the vineyards. The wines are aged in steel tanks and oak casks and the best Pinots are matured in French barrique and tonneau barrels.

Owner: Runkel Family

Winemakers: Christian und Matthias Runkel

Wine Area: 23,00 acres

Bottle Production: 160 000

Grape Varieties: 35% Riesling, 45% Burgundersorten, 5% Silvaner, 15% weitere Rebsorten

Geology:Kalkstein, Tonmergel, Lösslehm, Quarzit, Porphyr

Single Vineyards:

Gau-Algesheim, Gau-Algesheim | VDP.ERSTE LAGE®
HUNDERTGULDEN, Appenheim | VDP.GROSSE LAGE®
HEERKRETZ, Neu-Bamberg, Siefersheim | VDP.GROSSE LAGE®
SCHARLACHBERG, Bingen am Rhein | VDP.GROSSE LAGE®

Interview with Christian and Matthias Runkel (VDP)

VDP: What is so special about your winery?

Matthias Runkel: We are a family winery with a young history. In northern Rheinhessen we have the opportunity to produce wines in extremely UNIQUE terroirs. Our best Rieslings grow in three VDP.GROSSE LAGE® vineyards on tertiary limestone banks, ancient quartzite rocks and volcanic porphyry. These are unique conditions and it is a great inspiration for us to make these differences apparent in the taste of our wines.

VDP: What is your winery philosophy?

Matthias Runkel: Sustainable cultivation and high-quality work in the vineyard are the foundation for our grapes. The harvest of the best grapes and a certain restraint in the cellar allow our wines to evolve.

VDP: For what wine style do you strive?

Matthias Runkel: We do not follow a pattern or a specific wine type. We want to produce exciting, unique wines that reflect their origins. Riesling and Pinot have the most finesse and longevity.

VDP: Which of your wines would you recommend to someone who does not yet know your winery – as an introduction, so to speak?

Christian Runkel: Our Riesling VDP.GUTSWEIN. It conveys our idea of wine, possesses character and provides abundant drinking pleasure.

VDP: Of which wine are you particularly proud?

Christian Runkel: Of the wines from the VDP.GROSSE LAGE® vineyards SCHARLACHBERG, HUNDERTGULDEN and HEERKRETZ.

VDP: Why did you become a vintner?

Matthias Runkel: Out of love for working in nature, working independently and of course wine.

Christian Runkel: Quite late, I’ve always helped out at the winery, but after graduating from high school I first began studying law.

Pictures: Vineyard and Cellar Tour with Christian Runkel

VDP: Do you have role models, mentors?

Matthias Runkel: Many winegrowers have shaped our path. We are very grateful for this collegial exchange in the world of wine.

VDP: What are your next goals?

Christian Runkel: As a new member of the VDP, we would naturally like to confirm our aspirations for quality and establish ourselves among the top German wine producers.

VDP: How do you combine tradition and innovation?

Christian Runkel: Both are constant companions from the vineyard to the glass. Our method of winemaking follows traditional methods. But implemented with contemporary innovations.

VDP: Why should people visit your winery?

Christian Runkel: Appenheim is definitely worth a wine trip. Here you can hike in and at the foot of the HUNDERTGULDEN. From above you have an outstanding view over the valley – from our winery, by the way. The Restaurant Hundertguldenmühle has excellent cuisine and invites you to stop for a bite to eat.

VDP: If your wine were music, what would it be?

Matthias Runkel: It’s hard for me to commit, but it would definitely be unplugged.

Tasting

Following the vineyard and cellar tour, we sat down for a tasting of 12 wines.

Pictures: Tasting

The Wines

Except for the last wine, all wines were dry wines, in fact, Weingut Bischel wines tend to be bone-dry wines. Weingut Bischel does not produce fruity-sweet wines, i.e. wines that are made sweet by stopping the fermentation.