Die VDP.Prädikatsweingüter report three new admissions are as of January 1, 2014.
"With these new admissions, the VDP has now grown beyond the 200 members.Wachstum.ist jedoch kein Selbstzweck. For us, it is only important to unite the best and most ambitious wineries of a region under the grape eagle. Those who establish the classification of origins in Germany together with us with verve and seriousness and who advance German top viticulture together and permanently" emphasizes the president of the VDP.Prädikatsweingüter, Steffen Christmann.
Baden, Franz Keller Schwarzer Adler
The Franz Keller - Schwarzer Adler winery came back into family ownership more than one hundred years ago and has been standing for through-fermented wines for decades. The wines of this house reflect the full potential of the Kaiserstuhl and its unique microclimate. Fritz Keller is the third generation to run the estate. Together with his wife Bettina, son Friedrich and the entire team, he is uncompromisingly committed to quality, starting with the planting material individually adapted to the soil and microclimate, to the gentle cultivation of the vines, to the harvest at the optimal time. With the new winery building, the ageing of the wines in stainless steel or in traditional oak barrels and barriques has also been further optimised. Keller wines should be ideal food companions. This claim already results from the history of the house, whose origin is today's restaurant Schwarzer Adler, awarded with a Michelin star since 1969.
"The admission to the association is for us a wonderful confirmation of our work and for the outstanding quality of our wines - A fantastic start into the new year" (Fritz Keller)
Franconia, Rudolf May
The Rudolf May winery is located in Retzstadt, a small winegrowing community north of Würzburg. In the side valley of the Main River, the vines stand on barren shell limestone soil. Petra and Rudolf May have been running this winery, which developed from a small sideline business, since 1998. The vineyard area amounts to 13.5 hectares with the main vineyard Retzstadter Langenberg. However, vineyards are also cultivated in Thüngersheim and Stetten. Silvaner, which grows on more than 60 percent of the area and which yields straightforward wines with a mineral character, is particularly cultivated. The English wine critic Jancis Robinson wrote about the Silvaner "Wellenkalk": "Everyone who doubts that the Silvaner can have a great texture and an acid-emphasized race at the same time will be proven wrong. It's great to see someone working so devotedly, and on such poor soils."
"The VDP.Prädikatsweingüter are important for us because there is a high quality thinking in the VDP and we like to face this challenge. To have the eagle on the capsule is a special award. To be part of it makes us very proud." (Rudolf May)
Nahe, Joh. Bapt. Schäfer
The Joh. Bapt. Schäfer winery is located on the lower Nahe in Burg Layen. Sebastian Schäfer took over the business from his father in 2002 and is now the fourth generation to run it. Meanwhile seven hectares of vineyards are cultivated. Besides the Burgundy varieties, the Riesling plays the main role in the assortment with 60 percent. The Riesling vines, which are up to 40 years old, are rooted in the stony weathered soil of the steep southern vineyards Dorsheimer Pittermännchen and Goldloch as well as Burg Layer Schlossberg. Sebastian Schäfer strives for Rieslings with strong character and individuality that perfectly reflect their terroir. The majority of the expressive, mineral wines are vinified dry. Noble sweet rarities, which can be counted among the tops in the Nahe, crown the production in some years.
"For me, the Prädikatsweingüter are the most important vintners' association in Germany, because they bring the reputation of German wine to a new dimension by strict guidelines and high quality requirements." (Sebastian Schäfer)
Detailed information at <link http: www.vdp.de _blank>www.vdp.de
