2022 Dautel Estate Spätburgunder, Wurttemberg, Germany

ABOUT THIS WINE

Dautel Estate employs traditional winemaking techniques, focusing on hand-harvested grapes and careful fermentation. The use of oak aging helps to enhance the wine’s structure while preserving the expressive fruit character. This wine is aged for 11 months in used 2500L barrels.

The vineyards benefit from Württemberg's varied soils, which contribute to the depth and complexity of the Spätburgunder. Christian Dautel’s approach emphasizes the specific characteristics of each vineyard site, aiming to capture the essence of the grape variety and its environment.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

The Dautel family has a rich winemaking history in Württemberg, dating back 500 years. Initially engaged in mixed agriculture, they faced challenges with land division due to the Protestant Reformation. This led to the establishment of co-ops, which dominated the area. The region features stunning steep terraced vineyards along the Neckar and Ahr rivers, with diverse soil types.

Christian Dautel's father, Ernst, revolutionized the family’s approach in the 1970s by leaving the co-op to focus on estate-bottled wines, challenging the region's bulk production mentality. Ernst's innovative spirit and dedication to quality helped the estate gain recognition, leading to its membership in the VDP in 1999.

Christian, who returned to the winery in 2010 after studying winemaking and gaining international experience, emphasizes that "the wines are made in the vineyards." He respects his father’s legacy while striving to highlight the unique terroirs of their four Grand Cru and two 1er Cru sites. His goal is to create singular wines that express both the character of the terroir and the essence of the grape varieties.