Weingut Salwey Oberrotweil, Baden, Germany

WEINGUT SALWEY, UNCHANGEDLY FAMOUS

The history of the winery goes back to the middle of the ^18th century, during which Weingut Salwey has remained unchanged in family hands and is still located at its original location in Kaiserstuhl, Baden . The house is now in the hands of the third generation and is headed by Konrad Salwey , who is responsible for both the daily management and the winemaking. Konrad Salwey is known as a very conscientious winemaker who looks at his wines with a critical eye. Konrad's father, Wolf Dietrich Salwey , recently (Jan. 2011) died in a tragic accident. A huge loss for the family. The sad news shook the German wine world to its foundations. Wolf Dietrich Salwey was a very talented and passionate winemaker. He was convinced that the terroir in a wine can only be expressed by intervening as little as possible during the winemaking process . Konrad follows the same philosophy, which is why the wine style has remained unchanged.

AN IMPERIAL APPEARANCE

Weingut Salwey is one of the most famous wineries in Baden. In this respect, the location ' Kaiserstuhl' has a double meaning and unconsciously refers to the considerable status that the winery has acquired; Imperial. The winery is especially appreciated for its phenomenal wines from Grau-, Weiß and Spätburgunder, which are all among the best wines in Germany. Another specialty is the Weissherbst (rosé type) from Spätburgunder and Riesling.

A special wine series is the “ RS ” (Reserve Series), which comes from extra low yields and has been aged for a longer period in barriques. The wines from this series have a great storage potential, whereby Grau- and Spätburgunders and also the Weißburgunders (!) only show their true nature after years of bottle maturation; on average 4 to 8 years, and merge into a creamy mass of fruit and minerals.

The very top line includes the Grosse Gewächse (Grand Cru wines) from the best vineyard plots. These wines have an exceptionally long storage potential of an average of 8 to 20 years and sometimes even longer. This also includes exceptionally – for Baden – elegant, powerful Riesling wines.

It will come as no surprise that Weingut Salwey is also a member of the VDP; Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter , which includes the best wineries in Germany.

LARGE LANDOWNERSHIP

The total vineyard management comprises 39 hectares with vineyard holdings in: Oberrotweiler Kirchberg, Eichberg, Henkenberg and the Glottertaler Eichberg. A new cellar in Niederrotweil provides the much-needed air and space for the planned expansion of 10 hectares of vineyard.

Oberrotweiler Kirchberg
The Oberrotweiler Kirchberg is located on the southwest of the Kaiserstuhl. The soil is mainly composed of rocky very dark to almost black rock. Black melanite can also be found here. The hard soil is very labor-intensive to cultivate. The plots managed by Weingut Salwey are located on south- and south-west-facing slopes. The wines from these have a lot of concentration and a high mineral content.

Oberrotweiler Henkenberg
Situated between Oberrotweil and Burkheim lies this flat ridge of largely volcanic origin. With the establishment of terraced viticulture in 1972, there is an overlap in terroir of the Kirchberg vineyard (rocky, black rock) with that of the Henkenberg (volcanic rock). The combination produces structured wines that have a long life. Mainly Grauburgunder is planted here.

Oberrotweiler Eichberg
Like Henkenberg, the soil of Eichberg is of volcanic origin. The location northwest of the village of Oberrotweil, with slopes that turn from southeast to southwest, enjoys maximum exposure to sunlight. In combination with a top layer of ash and volcanic grit, the terroir differs slightly from Henkenberg. The vines can root exceptionally deeply here. The wines from this have a broad, powerful structure.