Weinhof Scheu

(Schweigen, Pfalz, Germany) 

Klaus Scheu took control of Weinhof Scheu from his father, Günter who retired in 1994. Theirs is a weinhof without borders, as it sits so close to Alsace in France that the vines nearly cross back and forth. Klaus, like his father, maps this not by geographic boundary, but by micro-climate and by the soil’s complexity, creating a unique home for each varietal and clone. His philosophy: the more precise the designation of origin, the higher the quality of wine. In all, there are yellow and blue clays, limestone, silica, sandstone, chalk, and slate decorating the soils, each positioned to various exposures. From this springs the voice of individual terroir. To preserve this individuality, Klaus does not craft the wines based on the specific ripeness levels, like his northern German neighbors in Mosel. Older vines and meticulous vineyard work keep yields excessively low, which adds to the concentration of his wines. The cellar, too, allows for what the parcel and vintage have presented. There are both steel and oak vessels, and fermentations are allowed to occur at their own pace. This all drives to an output of high-density flavors and full concentration of fruits in the wine. Klaus claims that no other wine can be replicated like his, as he is making wine for his parcels, and they reflect that even in the poor vintages.

www.weingut-scheu.de/