The first stop of the Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours, which took place from August 30 – September 5, 2015, was at Schloss Neuweier in the small village of Neuweier in Baden, close to the spa-town Baden Baden. We had a wine luncheon at the 1-star Michelin Restaurant of Chef Armin Röttele with Robert Schätzle, Owner and Winemaker of Weingut Schloss Neuweier.
I already provided an overview about the tour here:
Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)
Before the luncheon, Robert showed us around in the vineyards and the cellar and poured his Vintage 2014 releases for us. I already reported about the initial part of the visit, i.e. the vineyard and cellar tour and the wine tasting with Robert here:
Tour, Tasting (and Lunch) with Robert Schätzle, Owner and Winemaker, Weingut Schloss Neuweier in Baden– Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2015)
This (second) posting focusses on the wine luncheon.
Schloss Neuweier
(1) Röttele's Restaurant and Weingut Schloss Neuweier are both part of the wonderfully restored, historic castle Schloss Neuweier, where wine has been made for centuries.
(2) The castle belongs to the few historic buildings from the 12th century that still exist.
(3) Die Ritter von Bach were the first who started planting vines and producing wine. All subsequent owners showed interested in winemaking.
(4) Its current shape took the castle, when it was owned by Philipp Kämmerer von Worms, called von Dalberg. During 1548 to 1549, this gentleman created the castle as you can see it today. To remind everyone of his creation he put in the entry portal: Zeyt bryngt Rosen – Time brings Roses.
(5) In 1615, the castle was passed onto the second daughter of Philipp von Dalberg, whose husband was Wolf von Eltz and Knebel von Katzenellenbogen. Katzenellenbogen was a high ranking knight who fought under the rule of the Archbishop of Mainz. He also was an important person in terms of winemaking at Weingut Schloss Neuweier. He brought his knowledge from the Franken area, the Bocksbeutel bottles and the Niersteiner and the Laubenheimer grape varities, which replaced the traditional Elblinger and Ortlieber.
(6) During the 19th century the castle changed its owners quiet frequently. From 1869, the Rößler family from Baden-Baden became the owner of the castle. The Rößler family is responsible for the Mauerberg vineyard gaining international recognition.
(7) Until recently, the driving force behind Schloss Neuweier, including Weingut Schloss Neuweier, was Gisela Joos. She and her husband, a well-known architect from Frankfurt am Main, took over the castle, including the winery, in 1992 and invested around Euro 50 million in the castle, including the winery. What you see today is essentially due to their efforts and money. In 1999, Weingut Neuweier was admitted to the prestigious VDP association, when Gisela Joos was in charge.
(8) Today, the “Schlossherr” (owner) of Schloss Neuweier and the winemaker at Weingut Schloss Neuweier is Robert Schaetzle. His family acquired the estate in 2012. The senior management of the winery of course changed with Robert taking over. The already high quality level of the wines was definitely maintained if not increased by Robert Schaetzle. The Joos family is still living in the castle, but on a lease basis.
Röttele’s Restaurant and Residence at Schloss Neuweier
During the period when the Rössler family owned Schloss Neuweier, a “Besenwirtschaft” (basic wine tavern, where the winemaker sells his own wine) was opened at Schloss Neuweier. Over time, that basic tavern developed into a fine dining restaurant.
Armin and Sabine Röttele took over in 2005. A year later, Armin was awarded a Michelin star. Today, Röttele’s Restaurant at Schloss Neuweier is one of the best restaurants in Germany.
Sue Style: Expect deliciously pronounced southern accents (the chef spent years in Switzerland’s Tessin before returning here to his roots), intense flavors and colors, silken home-made soups and pastas, toothsome vegetables, locally raised meat and game.
Robert Schätzle: We were very lucky that in the year 2005 the family Röttele took on the restaurant on the ground floor of the castle. Mr. Röttele is a very inspiring and inventive Chef whose creations leaves your mouth watering. Mr. Röttele’s talent was internationally recognized so it was not surprise that he gained 1 Star from the Michelin in 2006.
Armin Röttele: Il menu di passione
Chef Armin Röttele suggested an amazing "Il menu di passione", complemented with Weingut Schloss Neuweier wines.
Kleine Schlossköstlichkeiten - Small appetizers from the castle kitchen
Ceviche vom Thunfisch und glasierter Jakobsmusche mit Ras el Hanout Cous Cous und Limettenaromen – Ceviche of tuna and glazed scallops with Ras el Hanout Cous Cous and lime flavors
2014 Weingut Schloss Neuweier Sauvignon Blanc trocken Gutswein
2012 Weingut Schloss Neuweier Goldenes Loch Riesling trocken Erste Lage
Iberico Schweinerücken im Kakao gebraten mit Dörraprikosen, Ingwerkarotten und Chorizo Kartoffeln – Rack of Iberico pork with cacao and sundried apricots, ginger carrots and Chorizo potatoes
2012 Weingut Schloss Neuweier Heiligenstein Spätburgunder trocken
Auswahl von Italienischen und Schweizer Rohmilchkäsen – Variaton of Italian and Swiss raw milk cheeses
2010 Weingut Schloss Neuweier Mauerberg Riesling Auslese
Gefüllte Mohncrepes auf warmen Zwetschgenkompott und Grand Manier Eis – With poppy seeds stuffed crepes on plum compote with Grand Manier ice cream
2013 Weingut Schloss Neuweier Spätburgunder Rose Sekt trocken
Süsse Sommerüberraschung – Sweet summer surprise
Thanks
Thanks Chef Armin Röttele for an outstanding luncheon.
Bye-bye
Bye-bye Robert.
Postings on the Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015) (Posted and Forthcoming)
4 Wine Tours by ombiasy coming up in 2015: Germany-East, Germany-South. Germany-Nord and Bordeaux
Fall Tours by ombiasy WineTours 2015 - A Very Special Treat: Experience Harvest Time !
Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)
Tour, Tasting (and Lunch) with Robert Schätzle, Owner and Winemaker, Weingut Schloss Neuweier in Baden– Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2015)
Wine Pairing Lunch at Röttele’s 1 Restaurant (1 Star Michelin) at Schloss Neuweier, with Owner and Winemaker Robert Schätzle, Weingut Schloss Neuweier
Tour and Tasting at Weingut Salwey (VDP) in Baden with Benno Salwey
Tour and Tasting at Weingut Franz Keller (VDP) in Oberbergen, Kaiserstuhl, Baden
Wine Paring Lunch at Restaurant Schwarzer Adler (1 Star Michelin) in Oberbergen, Kaiserstuhl, Baden
Schiller's Favorite Wine Taverns of Freiburg
Tour and Tasting at Weingut Bernhard Huber (VDP) in Baden, with Yquem Viehauser
Tour and Tasting at Weingut Dr. Heger (VDP) in Baden.
Tour and Tasting at Maison Léon Beyer in Eguisheim, Alsace, France, with Marc Beyer
Tour and Tasting at Domaine Weinbach in Kaysersberg, Alsace, with Catharine Faller
Wine Pairing Lunch at Wine Tavern Jülg, Weingut Jülg, in Schweigen, with Johannes Jülg
Tasting at Weingut Ökonomierat Rebholz (VDP) in Siebeldingen, Pfalz
Schiller's Favorite Wine Taverns in Deidesheim
Tour and Tasting at Weingut Müller-Catoir in Neustadt-Haardt, Pfalz
Tour and Tasting at Weingut A. Christmann (VDP) in Gimmeldingen, Pfalz, with Steffen Christmann
Tour and Tasting at Weingut von Winning (VDP) in Deidesheim, Pfalz
Tour and Tsting at Weingut Josef Biffar in Deidesheim, with Owner and Winemaker Fumiko Tokuoka
Wine Pairing Dinner at Restaurant FUMI at Weingut Josef Biffar in Deidesheim, with Owner and Winemaker Fumiko Tokuoka
Tour and Tasting at Weingut Markus Schneider in Ellerstadt, Pfalz, with Markus Schneider
Tour and Tasting at Weingut Koehler-Ruprecht in Kallstadt, Pfalz, with Franziska Schmitt
Tasting at Weingut Dreissigacker in Bechtheim, Rheinhessen, with Ute Dreissigacker
Tour and Wine Pairing Lunch at Weingut Eva Vollmer in Mainz-Ebersheim, Rheinhessen, with Eva Vollmer