The village of Rosswag is an incredible place, a viticultural treasure. The tiny village (population just over 1,200 inhabitants) is surrounded by an ancient amphitheater, a fortress of vines not unlike the “Terrassen-Mosel” built centuries ago.
These vineyards, as beautiful as they are, are profoundly expensive to farm. The majority of work must be done by hand. In the last few decades there have been enormous changes to the way wine is made and sold; financial pressures have seen many younger people heading to the big cities. The local cooperative, which farms 99% of these amazing vineyards, has handled the challenges of the new wine market better than most.
Hannes Hoffmann and Olympia Samara are the rare exceptions. Hannes was born in Rosswag; he and his wife have planted their flag here. They are, literally for these vineyards, the other 1%. They are the wine estate Roterfaden – the only other estate farming these vineyards.
region: Württemberg, Germany
varietals: 40% Riesling, 20% Kerner, 40% Weissburgunder
style: white
farming &. cellar: Organically farmed with biodynamic practices; hand-harvested estate fruit, Ambient ferment in steel tank, Bottled unfined and infiltered with minimal SO2
pairing: an easy weeknight dinner
