Mosel-Saar-Ruwer Region

Wines

Fritz Haag Estate

Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany

The Haag estate to those in the know is perhaps the one of the, if not the, most respected names in German fine wine.

Quality is always the focus at this estate, and quantity is extremely limited.

A sixth-century chronicle state that the vineyards of Brauneberg were "propter vinum" (because of wine) bequeathed to Verdun, France, then an important Roman commercial center. Napoleon paid tribute to the Brauneberger wines by fixing their prices above those of all other Mosel wines. When, in 1806, the Mosel vineyard sites were divided into classes according to the quality of their wines, Brauneberg was the only name in the first rank.

Today Oliver Haag of Fritz Haag estate, whose family has been engaged in viticulture at Brauneberg since 1605, is the town's most important proprietor. Using traditional cellar techniques and careful, selective harvesting he produces Brauneberger wines that have power, elegance with fine Riesling fruit and a subtle slate background in balance with generous fruity acids. One of his ancestors was a co-founder of the Brauneberger-Juffer-Sonnenuhr vineyard site. At present, the estate owns the largest and best portion of this vineyard. In addition, the estate also owns the best parts of the Brauneberger Juffer.
All sites are 100% Riesling.

The very steep vineyards with grades up to 73%, are planted on slate rock, and are among the most difficult vineyard sites in the world to cultivate. Like "solar collectors", they too are extremely efficient in absorbing every available ray of sunshine. Hence, even in off-vintages the Brauneberger wines from the hillside vineyards are usually successful.

The Fritz Haag estate has achieved outstanding results at the auctions of Der Grosse Ring in Trier, and over the years its wines have been awarded numerous medals. The wines are long-lived as the 1937er Auslese showed in 1995, it still was very fresh and fine.

Oliver Haag and his wife Jessica are generous hosts, and from the tasting room at the Dusemonder Hof, visitors can view the panorama of the soaring Brauneberger vineyards. Good fellowship, combined with the scenery and a great glass of Brauneberger wines, all contribute toward making any visit a memorable one.

The Fritz Haag Estate is a member of Der Grosse Ring - VDP Mosel-Saar-Ruwer.