See also:
Weingut von Hoevel – The New Generation: Max von Kunow in Washington DC, US
Kevin Pike was for a long time the General Manager of Terry Theise’s Portfolio of German wines. Undoubtedly, Terry Theise (in New York) and Rudi Wiest (in California) are the big players in the German wine market in the USA.
A year or so ago, Kevin Pike left Terry Theise (Michael Skurnik) and founded his own import company: Schatzi Wines. Importanty, he took Johannes Leitz, who was one of the biggies in the Terry Theise portfolio, as partner with him. Also, Joachim Heger (Weingut Dr. Heger/ Weinhaus Heger), who left Rudi Wiest, and Joachim Dreissigacker, who is new in the American market, joined him. Later, Weingut Heinrich Spindler from the Pfalz, an up-and coming winemaker, joined the Schatzi Wines German portfolio; Weingut Heinrich Spindler has 2 grapes in the Gault Millau Deutschland WeinGuide 2015.
See also:
Prowein 2015 in Düsseldorf, Germany – Schiller’s Impressions
Now, the news is that Maximilian von Kunow, Weingut Von Hövel, also joined the Schatzi Wines German portfolio. Weingut von Hövel is a world class producer of fruity-sweet Mosel (Saar) wines, which has a large fan community in the USA, but increasingly also produces dry-style Rieslings.
Another recent news is that Weingut Wittmann joined the Dr. Loosen portfolio. See: Weingut Wittmann now with Dr. Loosen Imports in the USA
Weingut von Hövel
In the Saar Valley, where Weingut von Hövel is located, wine was already produced in Roman times. There is evidence that wine was produced at the site of the Von Hövel estate as early as 1150. In those days, the vineyards and the winery belonged to the Monastery of Saint Maximin in Trier.
Emmerich Grach (1753–1826) from the well-established Grach family in Trier bought several wineries, including in 1803 the winery of the Monastery of Saint Maximin, which had been secularized under Napoleon. In 1902, the estate was passed on to the great-granddaughter of the founder, who was married to Balduin von Hövel. Eberhard von Kunow, the father of Maximilian von Kunow and the great-grandson of Balduin von Hövel, was the proprietor of Weingut Von Hövel from 1973 until 2010. Under his leadership, Weingut Von Hövel became one of the top wine producers in Germany.
The manor house, completed in the 12th century, was initially an abbey retreat for the monastery. The old cellar is today as it was over 800 years ago.
The current owner, Maximilian von Kunow, is the 7th Graf family generation and 3rd von Kunow family generation producing outstanding wines at this estate. Max graduated from the prestigious Geisenheim University and spent a number of years consulting in Luxembourg before he returned home in 2010. While his father produced mostly fruity style wines, Max wants to produce more dry styled Rieslings. He also started the estate on the road of organic production.
Weingut Von Hövel produces 5,000 cases and is a founding member of the Mosel VDP. Max’s father Eberhard was for many years the auctioneer for the annual VDP auction in Trier. Recently, Max took over that function.
See also:
Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut Von Hövel in Konz, Saar Valley, Mosel, with Owner and Winemaker Max von Kunow - Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)
Vineyards
The wines of Weingut Von Hövel say “Mosel” on their labels. Yet, the Von Hövel wines do not come from the Mosel Valley, but from the Saar Valley. Before 2007, the region was called Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, but changed to a name - Mosel - considered more consumer-friendly. The Mosel wine region is Germany's third largest in terms of production but is the leading region in terms of international prestige. The area is known for the steep slopes of the region's vineyards overlooking the river.
Weingut Von Hövel has ownership in the following vineyards; all planted 100% to Riesling:
Oberemmeler Hütte – (17.5 acres) a monopole of the estate – very light soil, weathered slate, it produces some of the most delicate, subtle, yet steely Rieslings in Germany.
Scharzhofberg – (7.5 acres) deeper, heavier soil, strong weathered grey slate with high proportion of rocks and gravel (70%), it produces more masculine wines.
Oberemmeler Rosenberg – the estate owns over 6 acres of the “filet” piece also known as the Rosenkamm, which has many old vine scattered throughout.
Kanzemer Hörecker – (barely 1 acre) monopole – one of the smallest yet greatest vineyards in the Saar, grey green slate with a proportion clay and red soil.
The estate also owns small portions of the heavy soiled Oberemmeler Karlsberg.
See also:
Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut Von Hövel in Konz, Saar Valley, Mosel, with Owner and Winemaker Max von Kunow - Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)
Schatzi Wines
A note from head Schatzi Kevin Pike: Schatzi(SHOT-zee) - From German, a diminutive of schatz, a term of endearment, literally and figuratively “little treasure.” Casually, schatzi is a term meaning a close friend—someone with whom you have fun, confide in and trust.
Schatzi Wines is an alternative importer and distributor, strengthening the connection between wine grower and wine drinker. Our producers have a clear voice in what is available in the US market; they have access to pricing as well as our customer base. We operate with integrity and transparency, in direct collaboration with growers, to bring the best wines to you at the best possible prices.
After 13 years of running a large national wine sales division, I was inspired to work with a more direct and focused import model. In partnership with my closest friend, Johannes Leitz, I started Schatzi Wines in 2014—a company that reflects our collective business ideals.
Weingut von Hövel in the Schatzi Wines Portfolio
Schatzi Wines: Eberhard von Kunow was the proprietor of the von Hövel estate from 1973 until 2010 when his son Maximilian von Kunow (the 7th generation) took charge. Already in the first year, Max has achieved great success in the Gault-Millau/German Wine Guide producing one of the top three Kabinetts (Oberemmeler Hütte) and the top Feinherb Riesling from the Scharzhofberg - both from the 2010 vintage. He also started the estate on the road of organic production. While his father produced mostly fruity styled wines, Max is looking to increase his dry range of rieslings in hope to round out the classic Saar portfolio. With holdings in Oberemmeler Hütte, Scharzhofberg, Oberemmeler Rosenberg and Kanzemer Hörecker, von Hövel is an iconic producer from this region. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have this estate on board.
See also:
Weingut von Hoevel – The New Generation: Max von Kunow in Washington DC, US
Johannes E. Grach, an ancestor, purchased the estate in 1806 after secularization forced the church to give up the property. He also, at the same time, acquired the Kanzemer Hörecker (also under the control of the estate) and Wawerner Herrenberg, (both monopoles), and the latter under the direction of Günther Jauch (also 7th generation). Mr. Jauch is a well-known TV personality in Germany moderating “The Millionaire” show. The manor house, completed in the 12th century, was initially an abbey retreat for the famous wine monastery of St. Maximin in Trier. The old cellar is today as it was over 800 years ago.
Here are the Weingut von Hövel wines that Schatzi Wines is currently offering in the US.
Dry Riesling:
Saar Riesling tocken
Fruity Riesling:
Saar Riesling feinherb
Saar Riesling Kabinett
Oberemmeler Riesling feinherb
Oberemmeler Hütte Riesling Kabinett "Monopol Lage"
Scharzhofberg Riesling Kabinett
Oberemmeler Hütte Riesling Spätlese "Monopol Lage"
Scharzhofberg Riesling Spätlese
schiller-wine: Related Postings
4 Wine Tours by ombiasy coming up in 2015: Germany-East, Germany-South. Germany-Nord and Bordeaux
Bourgogne Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), France
Germany-East Wine and Art Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)
Germany-North Wine Tour by ombiasy, 2014
Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy, 2014
German Wine and Culture Tour by ombiasy, 2013
Special Wine Event on March 18, 2014, in Washington DC with "Wurzelwerk": 3 Terroirs, 3 Winemakers and 9 Wines
"Wurzelwerk" Goes America: 3 Vineyards, 3 Winemakers and 9 Wines
Weingut von Hoevel – The New Generation: Max von Kunow in Washington DC, US
Prowein 2015 in Düsseldorf, Germany – Schiller’s Impressions
Cellar Tour and Wine Tasting at Weingut Von Hövel in Konz, Saar Valley, Mosel, with Owner and Winemaker Max von Kunow - Germany-North Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2014)
Weingut Wittmann now with Dr. Loosen Imports in the USA