VDP.ESTATE
HEITLINGER

VDP: What is so special about your winery?

Claus Burmeister: Our winery is nestled among the Tiefenbach vineyards. Tiefenbach, Eichelberg and Odenheim offer a diversity of 160-million-year-old limestone sediment soils that is found nowhere else in Germany. From white to purple, red or variegated limestone marl all the way to Stuben sandstone, you will find everything within a few hundred metres in the vineyards classified as VDP.GROSSE LAGE^®. It’s an extremely complex and exciting terroir versatility, perfect for Burgundian varieties. We grow Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc), Chardonnay and Auxerrois on white limestone, Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris) and Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) on purple and red limestone marl. The hilly landscape also ensures unique microclimates. The Kraichgau region has been home to winegrowing for over 600 years. We cultivate several monopole vineyards classified as VDP.GROSSE LAGE^®, which are among the oldest vineyard sites in Baden.

VDP: What is your winery philosophy?

Claus Burmeister: Pure nature! Wine should carry the magic of a place to the palate. That's why we rely on biodynamic viticulture.

VDP: To which wine style do you aspire?

Claus Burmeister: Dry wines that speak of the region, the variety, the vintage and the vineyard.
 

VDP: Which of your wines would you recommend to someone who does not yet know your winery – as an introduction, so to speak?

Claus Burmeister: HEINBERG Chardonnay GG andKÖNIGSBECHER Spätburgunder GG.

VDP: Of which wine are you particularly proud?

Claus Burmeister: Of the EICHELBERG Pinot Blanc GG.

VDP: Why did you become a vintner?

Claus Burmeister: I grew up among the vines and with wine; my father was the winery manager before me. I have loved wine since my youth.

VDP: Do you have role models?

Claus Burmeister: My father and Graf Neipperg.

VDP: What are your next goals?

Claus Burmeister: Taking the Weissburgunder and Spätburgunder from Kraichgau out into the world!
 

VDP: How do you combine tradition and innovation?

Claus Burmeister: We work hard in the vineyard and leave our wines in peace in the cellar. We abstain from technology whenever it is unnecessary and use it where it is sensible. We have returned to using more large wooden barrels made from wood sourced from the forests above our vineyards. We are innovative when it comes to things like optical grape sorting machines for perfect grapes.

VDP: Why should people visit your winery?

Claus Burmeister: The hilly landscape of the Kraichgau invites you to relax, hike, golf and enjoy. All this is combined here in Tiefenbach with the Hotel Heitlinger Hof, the Restaurant Heitlinger and Restaurant Albatros, the two wineries Heitlinger and Burg Ravensburg, and the Heitlinger Golf Resort to create the ‘Heitlinger World of Pleasure’.