2021 Dönnhoff "Oberhäuser Leistenberg" Riesling Kabinett, Nahe, Germany
ABOUT THIS WINE
The Leistenberg vineyard lies in a small side valley of the Nahe just outside Oberhausen. The name is a double play on words. “Leisten ” means “achieve ” in German, and the Leistenberg perpetually lives up to its name. “Lei ” is also a regional word for slate, and these warm, decomposed clay slate soils and steep terraced hillsides provide ideal conditions for Riesling to thrive. The southeast-facing slope basks in the morning sun, which dries out any excess moisture and promotes healthy fruit. Th e afternoon sun is less powerful, nurturing a long ripening period and moderate alcohol levels. An ideal vineyard for Kabinett wines of high minerality and sophisticated elegance.
Fermented and matured in stainless steel vats and large oak barrels.
ABOUT THIS PRODUCER
The Dönnhoff family arrived in the Nahe region over 200 years ago, and their modest farm slowly evolved into a wine estate. Helmut Dönnhoff had been making the wine since 1966, and now his son Cornelius is the 4th generation to run this historic winery and their 25ha of Grand Cru vineyards.
Although the Nahe is a dry region, Dönnhoff does not water their vineyards as to encourage deep rooted vines. The soil is covered with organic material like straw and compost to preserve water and to avoid evaporation and erosion in heavy rains.
The vines are all grown on wireframes, low to the ground to benefit from the warmth of the stoney topsoil, and at a density of approx. 6000 vines per hectare. The Riesling vines are old clones sourced from the sites in Niederhausen and Schloßböckelheim.
Grapes are always picked by hand at Dönnhoff over two to three passes through each vineyard.
Details:
| Grape(s) | Riesling |
| Farming | Sustainable |