Moritz Haidle, Weingut Karl Haidle, "is a dedicated organic farmer, and a passionate devotee of hip-hop culture. A talented graffiti artist, Moritz is no doubt a radical figure in the Swabian wine scene, uprooting the traditional image of the staid German winzer. His vibrant character and commitment to terroir translates in the pure, focused wines that are emerging from this deep, natural cellar."
We have met and I have tasted his wines at various occasions. The last time, we met was at Weungut Markus Molitor by accident. He was visiting Weingut Markus Molitor and I was visiting Weingut Markus Molitor, he with Armin Diel and a group of wine enthusiasts and I with Annette Schiller on the 2017 Germany North Tour by ombiasy WineTours.
We also stayed at the same hotel that night - Hotel/ Restaurant Schanz in Piesport, Mosel - and we had breakfast togather the following day. The big news, he told me, was that he has joined the Schatzi Portfolio and his wines will soon be available in the USA. I was very happy to hear this. Welcome Maritz Haidle to the USA.
Moritz Haidle, Weingut Karl Haidle
Schatzi-Wines: Founded in 1949 by retired, world-class Gymnast Karl Haidle and now onto its third generation, Weingut Haidle has long been a pioneer and leader in fine-wine production in Württemburg.
Today, the young and energetic Moritz Haidle is in charge of the estate. He is a dedicated organic farmer, and a passionate devotee of hip-hop culture. A talented graffiti artist, Moritz is no doubt a radical figure in the Swabian wine scene, uprooting the traditional image of the staid German winzer. His vibrant character and commitment to terroir translates in the pure, focused wines that are emerging from this deep, natural cellar. Specializing in Riesling, Lemberger, and Spätburgunder, Moritz gives the unique slopes of Stetten a chance to speak with nuance and clarity.
Though one of Germany’s thirteen anbaugebiete, Württemberg still remains one of the country’s slightly obscure viticultural areas; Moritz refers to it as the “outsider” region. Before WWII, wine grapes in the Rems Valley were almost always sold off to the local co-op and the majority of wine production was consumed by locals. It was only over the course of the last twenty years that wines from the region became distributed around Germany and ultimately exported to the rest of the world.
Beginning in 1949, Karl Haidle founded his eponymous winery with a single hectare of vines and a vision to bottle his own wine. Sadly, Karl passed away at a young age leaving Mortiz’s father, Hans, to take the reins of the family business at only 23 years of age. It was under Hans’ patient, watchful eye that the winery we see today began to take shape. Hans expanded the holdings to a full 23 ha and dedicated himself to making wine of pinnacle quality, with a focus on Riesling—what is unique in a region more recognized for simple, juicy reds. He became a VdP member in the 90s.
The viticultural focus at the estate is summed up quite simply by Mortiz, “we want to work with nature to get long lasting vines with deep roots and naturally low yields.” The fruit is picked by hand and vinified in old, neutral vats some of which are 70+ years old. “I swear by the old barrels of my Grandfather,” Moritz says. The winery is arranged to move the wines via gravity, the whites undergo extended lees contact, nothing is ever fined and they are bottled with just a touch of sulfur.
The German Wine Portfolio of Schatzi-Wines
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.
The German Portfolio of Schatzi Wines comprises the following producers:
- Benedikt Baltes
- Dr. Heger
- Dreissigacker
- Franzen
- Heinrich Spindler
- Julia Bertram
- Karl Haidle
- Knebel
- Leitz
- von Hövel
Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Leitz in Rüdesheim, with Johannes Leitz – Germany-North Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Weingut Dr. Heger in Ihringen, Kaiserstuhl, Baden – Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015)
Tasting the Wines President Obama was Served: At Weingut Dreissigacker in Bechtheim, Rheinhessen, with Ute Dreissigacker– Germany-South Tour by ombiasy WineTours (2015), Germany
Weingut von Hövel Joins Portfolio of Schatzi Wines, USA/Germany
The 31-Days-of-German-Riesling Concert Cruise Around New York Harbor with the German Wine Queen Julia Bertram and the 3 Wine Amazones Tina Huff, Eva Vollmer and Mirjam Schneider from Mainz, Germany