Dr. Loosen
Weingut Dr. Loosen is a true institution in the realm of German viticulture and represents the international manifesto of the rediscovery of the importance of Riesling. Founded in 1816, it has been run by the same family for over 200 years and since 1988 has been led by the charismatic figure of Ernst F. Loosen: undoubtedly the key figure in the historic turnaround that the company has managed to undertake. The winery has been a member of the VDP since 1993, the association that brings together German wineries "mit Prädikat", meaning of superior quality level.
Deeply rooted in the Mosel region, St. Johannishof Dr. Loosen has its operational headquarters in the town of Bernkastel-Kues. The vineyard area owned covers a total surface of about 22 hectares spread across the territories of several municipalities and is planted for 98% of the total with Riesling, while the residual part is dedicated to Weissburgunder, the Pinot Blanc. Lay in Bernkastel, Himmelreich in the village of Graach, Prälat and Treppchen in Erden, Sonnenhur in Wehlen, as well as Würtzgarten in the village of Ürzig, are vineyards recognized as Grossen Lagen, the equivalent of grand cru in Germany, within which lie the six most important plots: the average age of the vines has surpassed 60 years, with some monumental vines reaching 130 years and all are ungrafted plants. The peculiar nature of the soils is indeed hostile to the spread of phylloxera: the slate that covers the ground in flakes contains high percentages of potassium and mineral nutrients for the vines, while the rocky nature of the subsoil forces the roots to dig deep in search of water. The sites offer highly varied exposures: forced to follow the sinuous design of the slopes, they are always facing the course of the Moselle, looking from altitudes between 100 and 400 meters above sea level and from dizzying slopes. The agronomic management is based on non-invasive practices, using only organic elements.
Dr. Loosen's winemaking is based on the desire to let expressfreely the terroir and recover the greatness of German wines from historical times, after the darkness of the post-war period. Since the 2008 vintage, all dry wines are made with spontaneous fermentation in wooden barrels and 12 months of maturation in wood, extended to 24 months for Grosse Lage wines starting from the 2011 vintage. No batonnage or other movements are carried out, leaving the task of evolution to the sole micro porosity of the staves. The bottle aging period is also long, ranging from 12 to 36 months.
Weingut Dr. Loosen is a true institution in the realm of German viticulture and represents the international manifesto of the rediscovery of the importance of Riesling. Founded in 1816, it has been run by the same family for over 200 years and since 1988 has been led by the charismatic figure of Ernst F. Loosen: undoubtedly the key figure in the historic turnaround that the company has managed to undertake. The winery has been a member of the VDP since 1993, the association that brings together German wineries "mit Prädikat", meaning of superior quality level.
Deeply rooted in the Mosel region, St. Johannishof Dr. Loosen has its operational headquarters in the town of Bernkastel-Kues. The vineyard area owned covers a total surface of about 22 hectares spread across the territories of several municipalities and is planted for 98% of the total with Riesling, while the residual part is dedicated to Weissburgunder, the Pinot Blanc. Lay in Bernkastel, Himmelreich in the village of Graach, Prälat and Treppchen in Erden, Sonnenhur in Wehlen, as well as Würtzgarten in the village of Ürzig, are vineyards recognized as Grossen Lagen, the equivalent of grand cru in Germany, within which lie the six most important plots: the average age of the vines has surpassed 60 years, with some monumental vines reaching 130 years and all are ungrafted plants. The peculiar nature of the soils is indeed hostile to the spread of phylloxera: the slate that covers the ground in flakes contains high percentages of potassium and mineral nutrients for the vines, while the rocky nature of the subsoil forces the roots to dig deep in search of water. The sites offer highly varied exposures: forced to follow the sinuous design of the slopes, they are always facing the course of the Moselle, looking from altitudes between 100 and 400 meters above sea level and from dizzying slopes. The agronomic management is based on non-invasive practices, using only organic elements.
Dr. Loosen's winemaking is based on the desire to let expressfreely the terroir and recover the greatness of German wines from historical times, after the darkness of the post-war period. Since the 2008 vintage, all dry wines are made with spontaneous fermentation in wooden barrels and 12 months of maturation in wood, extended to 24 months for Grosse Lage wines starting from the 2011 vintage. No batonnage or other movements are carried out, leaving the task of evolution to the sole micro porosity of the staves. The bottle aging period is also long, ranging from 12 to 36 months.
