Pfalz Region

Wines

Rebholz Estate

Pfalz, Germany

No compromises - wine making often is adjusted to current trends and preferences in the marketplace. For more than three generations Rebholz estate maintains a clear direction unaltered by these outside influences. They follow the old tradition of making pure and natural wines. This philosophy of purity is married with a daily quest for the highest possible quality in the wines.

"For Hansjörg Rebholz, the respect for nature is the source of all the things, that characterize the wines." Wine writer Stuart Pigott

Hansjörg Rebholz's grandfather, Ökonomierat Eduard Rebholz was the pioneer for the quality orientation of wine making the south palatine region. Father Hans Rebholz continued the philosophy resulting in making only dry, completely fermented wines as the style of the winery. Close to 100% of the wines made by Rebholz are dry.

The estate is managed by Hansjörg Rebholz, his wife Brigit and his mother Christine. Changes in wine-making over time were only accepted, if they did not conflict with the philosophy and would lead to a significant improvement of the wine quality at the same time. Along those lines, the technology for the Pinot Noir red wine fermentation was modernized; and since 1989 a small part of the wines is raised in small oak barrels as a separate, high quality line distinguished by a black label. In 1993 Rebholz released the first sparkling wine from the estate.

The vines planted are Riesling and burgundy varietals such as Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The individual vineyard sites amounting to about 14 hectares are distinguished by the vast soil variety in the area. Red Slate and Red Loess known as "Rotliegendes" dominates the top site "Kastanienbusch". Loess and Gravel is found at the "Münzberg" site, Loess also dominates "Rosenberg" while chalk, gravel and loess characterizes "Im Sonnenschein". These soil types and the micro climate are optimal conditions for the classic varieties of the area planted at the estate. With 35% Riesling and 50% Burgundy parietals (Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay) the estate uses the positive soil and climatic conditions to make their dry wines that are particularly useful to accompany meals. In addition, aromatic Gewürztraminer and Muskateller as well as some Müller-Thurgau round out the wine portfolio.

Quality starts in the vineyards. At harvest the winery will collect the fruit of the care taken all year long working soil and vines. After severe yield restriction to app. 6.000 Liter per hectare, the harvest is done solely by hand. A late harvest, diligent selection of the grapes and must weights far exceeding the legal requirements lead to high quality wines, that are not intended for early consumption. The white and red wines need time to develop aroma and taste nuances to the optimum. Some wines are not released until several years after the vintage. The longevity of the wines is well known among the fans of the estate.

For over 50 years, we craft wines in the fashion that they only have what nature intended: chaptalisation (increase of alcohol content through addition of sugar before the fermentation), concentration technology or the use of "Süßreserve" (addition of grape juice before bottling as a sweetener) are not applied at the estate. They are proud that through these self-imposed restrictions, the wines have won many awards and stood out at competitive tastings. The recognition of the quality led in 2002 to the award of vintner of the year by Gault Millau Wine Guide. Such awards are encouraging to continue our path - with no compromises.

Assessed as world-class estate by Gault Millau Wine Guide: 2002 vintner of the year.

The Rebholz Estate is a member of the VDP Pfalz.