Sybille Kuntz
Operated by winemaker husband and wife team Sybille Kuntz and Markus Kuntz-Riedlin, this is a very new winery in the history of German wine terms, expanding from just half a hectare of vines 25 years ago to the current 10 hectares today. Cutting edge in their approach they not only follow the ethos and general principals of "Biodynamique Viticulture"-(search on the homepage-"wine types" "white biodynamique" for an explanation)- but also decided to work outside of the traditional approach for German riesling and produce their own style that expresses the pure fruit and vineyard "terroir" rather than follow some legislative guidelines-"We do not need people to tell us how to make wine"-Markus 07.09.09. Specialists in German dry riesling they have won many awards and much acclaim including well known riesling supporter Jancis Robinson-"Sybille Kuntz is a celebrated pioneer of full bodied dry Mosel rieslings"-Jancis Robinson July 2009.
As head winemaker, groundbreaking Sybille Kuntz has really broken with tradition in what has been regarded as a male dominated environment by developing a brand new estate. A 6th generation winemaker in her own right, Sybille opened up her own wine shop in 1981 to fund her college studies. Her family estate was split up between her father, brother and herself-4,000square metres each (approximately half a hectare). In 1984 she took over her fathers vineyard and bought out her brother and in doing so started out on a serious career of winemaking and the development of her own eatste which stand today (September 09) at 10 hectares of prime vineyard parcels.
The vines across the estate range from 40 to 80 yeras old, and that historical pedigree combined with their personal mantra that the wine is made in the vineyard and not the winery has lead to some top class rieslings, some of which take on an almost new world big fruit driven Clare Valley style. The low yields achieved in some cases, have broken regional records when it comes to the sugar count of the grapes-achieved through natural careful viticulture. In 1998 they decided to depart from the traditional styles of rieslings and develop their own style. Rather than a technical approach, Sybille developed the wine from a more sensual way-this wine is too dry, too sweet etc untill the style had been achieved-and only then did it become technical.
With UK exposure supported by listings at such places as Harrods, Selfridges and Gordon Ramsays Boxwood Cafe at The Berkley, these wines are becoming synonymous with quality, style and unique individuality. Will we see a special cuvee this year as it is their 25th anniversary?
Producer Information
| Established | 25 Years |
|---|---|
| Size | 10 Hectares |
| Website | www.sybillekuntz.de |
| Vineyards |
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| Wine List | View wines produced by Sybille Kuntz |
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