The Hanewald and Schwerdt families established this estate in 1955, with the aim of producing dry wines, primarily from Pinot Noir and Riesling, with distinctive varietal character, and traditional German style. Today the property is managed by cousins, Thomas Hanewald and Stephan Schwerdt.

Their vineyards are located between Weisenheim am Berg in the north, and Ruppertsberg in the south. The estate covers a number of different plots, each with its own unique soil composition, aspect, and character. They produce estate wines, as well as some single-vineyard wines. All of these wines are terroir-driven, classic and elegant.

The Pfalz is one of Germany’s largest and most important wine regions, stretching north to south along the Haardt Mountains, which form the eastern edge of the Vosges range in neighbouring France. Sheltered by these forested hills, the region enjoys a relatively warm and dry climate – one of the sunniest in Germany – with long growing seasons that allow grapes to reach full ripeness. However, increasing summer heat and occasional droughts have become a concern, requiring growers to adopt careful water and canopy management strategies.

The soils of the Pfalz are remarkably diverse, ranging from sandstone and limestone to loess, clay and volcanic basalt. This geological variety allows a wide range of grape varieties to flourish and gives the wines distinctive expression depending on their origin. Key towns include Bad Dürkheim, Deidesheim and Forst in the north, and Neustadt, Wachenheim and Landau further south.

Riesling is the dominant grape, producing dry to off-dry wines with generous stone fruit, citrus and floral aromas, balanced by vibrant acidity and a mineral backbone. Other white varieties such as Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc), Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris) and Silvaner are also widely planted. Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) has gained increasing importance, yielding elegant, fragrant reds with red berry fruit and a touch of spice. The Pfalz today is celebrated for its expressive, food-friendly wines and its dynamic combination of traditional and modern winemaking.

Riesling is one of the world’s most esteemed white grape varieties, originating in Germany’s Rhine region during the 15th century. Celebrated for its purity of expression, Riesling thrives in cool climates and is known for its remarkable balance of acidity, aromatic intensity, and ageing potential.

Viticulturally, Riesling is a hardy, late-budding vine well-suited to steep, well-drained slopes. It ripens slowly, allowing it to develop vibrant acidity and a complex flavour profile. The grape is highly expressive of terroir, producing distinctive wines based on soil type, climate, and winemaking style.

Germany remains Riesling’s spiritual home, particularly in regions like the Mosel, Rheingau, and Pfalz. It is also widely grown in Alsace (France), Austria (notably in the Wachau and Kamptal), Australia’s Clare and Eden Valleys, and the Finger Lakes and Washington State in the USA. In each of these regions, Riesling produces wines of great character and diversity.

Riesling styles range from bone-dry to lusciously sweet, including sparkling and late-harvest versions. Classic flavours include green apple, lime, white peach, and jasmine, often with mineral or petrol-like notes as the wine ages. Its naturally high acidity makes it an excellent partner for a wide range of foods, including spicy cuisine and aromatic dishes.