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.
The focus of the visit of Weingut Schlossgut Hohenbeilstein was on the vineyard. There, we also met Eberhard Dippon doing vineyard work. Following the vineyard walk we sat down for a tasting.
Weingut Schlossgut Hohenbeilstein (VDP) in Beilstein, Württemberg
Winery Schlossgut Hohenbeilstein, surrounded by steep, terraced vineyards, is beautifully situated in the idyllic Bottwartal with a fantastic view of the castle hill of Hohenbeilstein. In 1959 the winery was acquired by Eberhard Dippon, who began organic farming in 1987. In 1991 son Hartmann Dippon took over after a viticultural training in Franken, working experiences in France, New Zealand, California, and passing the exam for wine technician at the viticultural school in Weinsberg.
The vineyards cover 35 acres of vineyards, mainly in the solely-owned site Schlosswengert. Since 1994, the winery has been completely converted to organic viticulture. In 2002, the estate was the only winery in Württemberg to be appointed a demonstration farm as role model for organic farming.
Special attention is paid to the red wine variety Lemberger (Blaufränkisch), which is matured in barriques, and Riesling. They also started working with Piwis (= fungus-resistant grape variety). The white grape variety Cabernet Blanc is undoubtedly one of the most successful new breeds of the Piwis. As a fungus-tolerant variety of the new generation, the Swiss vine breeder Valentin Blattner succeeded in crossing Cabernet Sauvignon and resistance partners. Cabernet Blanc found a"second father" in Volker Freytag, who selected the variety in the Palatinate and, after a few years of experimental expansion, registered it for variety protection in 1994 and for classification in 2010. With its very good cultivation properties, high resistance to fungi and, last but not least, the catchy name of the variety, Cabernet Blanc helped the Piwis to achieve a recognized and promising status alongside the classic grape varieties in the minds of winegrowers and consumers. Cabernet Blanc has shown the strongest growth among the Piwi grape varieties in Germany in recent years.
“NOT EVERYTHING HAS TO BE MADE NEW, BUT MANY THINGS CAN BE RETHOUGHT.”
JUNIOR AND WINEMAKER JOSCHA DIPPON SPEAKS ABOUT HIS WINES AND WINE ESTATE.
VDP: What is so special about your winery?
Joscha Dippon: The
special thing about our organic wine estate is definitely the monopole
vineyard SCHLOSSWENGERT on Hohenbeilstein. This is where our VDP.GROSSE
GEWÄCHS® wines are produced. The SCHLOSSWENGERT consists of
approximately six hectares of vineyard on the castle’s own mountain. The
wine estate comprises a total of around 16 hectares. Healthy grapes
grow on these partially terraced slopes, which are vinified into fine
wines. Our superb quality is confirmed each year through numerous awards
and prizes.
The history of the winery goes back to the beginnings of the 20th century with the founder, Robert Vollmöller. Since my grandfather Eberhard Dippon acquired the winery in 1959, it has been family-owned. My parents, my wife Silke and I currently work at the winery. We are indeed a real family business, especially when it comes to our events at the wine estate. Our siblings and their families as well as friends and acquaintances help out. The fantastic view from our park over the Bottwartal to Stuttgart is also very special.
VDP: What is your winery philosophy?
Joscha Dippon: My
father, Hartmann Dippon, had already decided in favour of organic
winegrowing in 1993. He is thus regarded as one of the pioneers and
lateral thinkers of the organic wine scene. It is important for us to
work in harmony with nature according to his credo: “Good wine comes
from an intact landscape. Great wines are created when the potential of
the ecosystem can be used optimally.” Together we want to raise consumer
awareness for high-quality organic wines.
VDP: For what wine style do you strive?
Joscha Dippon:
I like complex and multi-layered Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir). My goal is
to produce Spätburgunder with playful fruit yet good structure. My
Edition J has exactly these attributes thanks to semi-carbonic
maceration. By the way, our red wines are almost exclusively matured in
French barriques.
VDP: Which of your wines would you recommend to someone who does not yet know your winery – as an introduction, so to speak?
Joscha Dippon: There
is no such thing as one good entry-level wine, as individual tastes are
as diverse as our wine selection. The best way for us to find the right
wine for someone is to speak with them personally.
VDP: Of which wine are you particularly proud?
Joscha Dippon:
Our red wine blend “Robert Vollmöller” has been on the market for 20
years and still lives up to its name today. It is very popular with our
customers due to its powerful structure and harmonious maturation in
barriques. If you ask me, it is our wine with the best price-performance
ratio!
VDP: Why did you become a vintner?
Joscha Dippon:
There is no other profession that is more versatile than that of a
vintner! I am proud to accompany and be responsible for my wines from
the development of the idea through production and sales. I love and
live the winegrowing profession!
VDP: Do you have role models?
Joscha Dippon:
I don’t have such a definite role model. Of course, my father’s
experience has a great influence on our work, but at the same time I go
my own way.
VDP: What are your next goals?
Joscha Dippon: With the takeover of the winery on 1 July 2019, my family and I are the third generation to herald the new era of the estate.
VDP: How do you combine tradition and innovation?
Joscha Dippon: Of
course, I stick to traditions that have proven their value over many
years. Not everything has to be made new, but many things can be
rethought. There will certainly be change and innovation under my name –
let us surprise you!
VDP: Why should people visit your winery?
Joscha Dippon:
Counter question: why would you want to miss the view, the atmospheric
events and a personal insight into the winery? This is the only way to
truly experience wine. We would also be very pleased to talk to you and
get to know you as friends of our wines.
Arriving
Meeting Eberhard Dippon
In the Vineyard
Tasting
Germany "From Berlin to Frankfurt" 2023 (Saale Unstrut, Sachsen, Franken, Württemberg) by ombiasy WineTours (Released and Forthcoming Postings)
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