Source: Rudi Wiest Selections
REBHOLZ
Pfalz
Hans-Jörg Rebholz was chosen Winemaker of the Year in 2002 and since has been awarded five grapes by Gault-Millau – its highest rating. The estate was awarded Collection of the Year in the Gault-Millau 2013. For many years now the estate has been one of the top 10 in Germany. The estate has been a member of the Pfalz VDP since 1991 and Hans-Jörg has been President since 1999.
The history of the family’s connection to viticulture dates back to the 16thcentury. The current estate buildings at Weinstrasse 54 have been in the family for over 100 years. All the Rebholz’s over the years had something to do with wine which is hardly surprising since the name Rebholz translates to “wood of the vine”. The Rebholz style started life as an idea. It matured in the mind of Hans-Jörg’s grandfather, Eduard who took great exception to the then contemporary taste in wine and countered the unnatural, artificially sweetened blends with his idea of “natural” wine. A trained scientist he researched climate, soils in the vineyards and the appropriate varietals, harvesting periods redefined, methods of vinification replaced by its own strict rules. He even included in his research practical experience of winegrowers in other regions. All of this forms the foundation of the Rebholz style
There are three distinct terroirs in the estate’s vineyards. In the “South-Pfalz”, where the estate is located, limestone terroir rules and it is ubiquitously present in one part of the Im Sonnenschein vineyard where Riesling, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and to lesser amounts Pinot Gris and estate specialties Gewürztraminer and Muskateller are planted. In the Ganzhorn, a small parcel of the same site the estates Riesling excels. It performs the minor miracle of exquisite peach, apple and apricot aromas sourced from the deluvial shingle of the Queich Brook. Not far away, in the Alberweiler Latt, a legendary Gewürztraminer grows having been planted over 60 years ago. Last but not least there is the Kastanienbusch with its rocky, rusty-red soil of the true primary rock from the lower strata of the “new” red sandstone. It simply produces some of the greatest dry Rieslings not only in Germany – but anywhere.
The estate’s 22 ha are farmed bio-dynamically with a production of about 10,000cases. Also, it must be known that Mr. Rebholz is one of the movers and shakers in the Grosses Gewächs movement in Germany.