2022, Pinot Noir, Rheinhessen, Germany

A light, bright and earth-filled German pinot noir. Bianka and Daniel Schmitt are fourth generation winemakers working with biodynamic practices in the south of the Rheinhessen region of Germany. Together they manage the 16-hectare Demeter certified estate which has been in Daniel's family for over 200 years! In their words, “The interactions between the life in the soil (like bacteria, mykorizen ((a symbiotic relationship between fungi and plant roots)), plants as green cover and the vines) are composed with each other. Vines become stronger and get more vitality from a living soil, not from chemical treatments”. The spätburgunder or pinot noir, comes from the rich loam, clay, and limestone marl soils of their Flörsheim-Dalsheim village vineyard. Harvested by hand, pressed and fermented for two weeks, we get a real taste of place, less on the WiLd side, the expression here is more like an uncultivated garden. Sour cherry zip n’ zing, side of the hill herbs, hiding from a storm under a shrub, & a feeling that maybe you are the roots reaching into the soil. Enjoy with vermouth and black vinegar braised carrots, parsnips or kohlrabi.