Mosel-Saar-Ruwer Region

Wines

von Hövel Estate

Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany

Eberhard von Kunow is proprietor of an estate at Oberemmel that has been in the same family for six generations. He and his wife Hildegard reside in the old manor house which many visitors liken to an old castle.

The manor house, completed in the 12th century, was initially an added retreat for the famous wine-monastery of St. Maximin in Trier. Over the years many things have changed above the foundation, but the cellar is today just as it was 800 years ago.

Twice the building burned to the ground and it was last rebuilt in 1732. Johann E. Grach, an ancestor of the present proprietor, purchased the estate in 1803, after secularization forced the church to give up the property. He had also acquired the Kanzemer Berg and the Wawerner Herrenberg, which today are in the hands of his other descendants, Mrs. Maximilian von Othegraven and Dr. Fischer, respectively.

The von Kunows, even though respectful of tradition, use the latest methods in their vineyards and in marketing their wines. As a cellarmaster Eberhard, who is also the auctioneer for the wine auctions at Trier and Bernkastel, uses the old tried and true methods. All wine is fermented and matured in 100% German oak until bottled.

Though some dry (trocken) wines are produced, fruity style Riesling wines predominate. The estate owns about 27.5 acres of vineyards and has a production of about 5,000 cases. The Oberemmeler Hütte is the largest holding with 12,5 acres and is wholly owned by the von Kunow family. A portion of the Oberemmeler Balduinsberg (6,25 acres) and of the famous Scharzhofberg (7.5 acres) round out the estate. All vineyards are planted to 100% Riesling.

1971 Oberemmeler Hütte Spätlese tasted in October 1981, exhibited great fruit, counterbalanced by a very lively acidity and steely backbone, all of which suggested many years of additional life.

A founding member of Der Grosse Ring, the von Hövel Estate is a member of the VDP Mosel-Saar-Ruwer.