Heiner Sauer, Palatinate, Germany

WINEGROWER FAMILY 'HEINER SAUER'

Winemaker Heiner Sauer, born in 1957, comes from an old winegrowing family . At the age of 17, he is left to fend for himself when his father dies. His father often sold the wines as 'bulk', Heiner Sauer has a different view on this and decides to work on wineries, to do many internships, to learn himself and to be able to start as the new 'head' of the wine estate. For ideological reasons, he opts for viticulture that is completely organic; he has been putting this into practice since 1987. In total, his winegrowing estate involves 17 hectares of land. Purely ecological viticulture .

Originally we got to know the modest Heiner Sauer through his Spanish wines. Heiner Sauer always had a preference for Spanish wines ; through his curiosity and some adventurousness he ended up in Spain. In 1998 he founded Bodega Palmera as manager and partner. The vineyards of Bodegas Palmera are located on a high plain in Utiel-Requeña, 75 km west of Valencia. They are located on the higher parts of Utiel at an altitude of about 780 meters, where it is sunny and dry but not too hot. Through this Bodega Heiner Sauer became known, and he developed his vision for the production of organic wines. He became known on the Spanish market. However, his base lies in his 'homeland' the Pfalz, where he has been making excellent organic wines for a long time, which are now breaking through internationally! Even in the Netherlands.

WARM UNDER THE 'FIRESIDE'

Between Rheinhessen and Baden lies the Pfalz region; the second largest wine region in Germany, with almost 23,400 hectares of wine growing area. Better known as 'the warm south' compared to the rest of the German wine growing area. Slopes are sheltered from wind and rain by the surrounding Haardt mountains . The idyllic village of Gleisweiler (where the Riesling comes from) is the warmest place in all of Germany, palms, banana plants, almond trees and cypresses grow there... The soil is varied, there are plots with heavy limestone/clay. But loam and light (quickly warming) sandy soil also occur. Grass, wild flowers and weeds, together with the fluttering insects, ensure a subtle ecosystem between the vines. In the cellar, the best of old traditions (such as education in breathing large wooden vats) and that of modern knowledge and equipment (fermentation in stainless steel) go hand in hand. In principle, as little as possible is intervened, the addition of sulphur is minimal , the filtering as light as possible. In some years, the number of hours of sunshine increases to more than 2000 per year.

Thanks to the mild climate, full-bodied, aromatic wines are produced here. Particularly from the Riesling grape . But also the Spätburgunder and Weissburgunder wines from the Pfalz are highly recommended.

PFALZ' SHOWHORSE

Cuvée Nova can be called our showpiece from the Pfalz; in cooperation with Heiner Sauer we produce our own cuvée, which is labeled 'new' in the series: 'Nova'. This fresh-ripe wine, made from Weissburgunder and Riesling has freshness, spiciness and a full ripeness at the same time. Great wine for spring.