LUDWIG KNOLL

VDP.ESTATE
AM STEIN, LUDWIG KNOLL

"THE PASSION FOR STEEP SLOPE VITICULTURE AND THE JOY OF ENJOYMENT ARE THE CONSTANT DRIVING FORCE BEHIND OUR BIODYNAMIC ACTIVITIES IN THE VINEYARD AND CELLAR."

LUDWIG KNOLL SPEAKS ABOUT HIS WINES AND WINE ESATE IN WÜRZBURG

Am Stein - Ludwig Knoll

Mittlerer Steinbergweg 5
97080 Würzburg

Phone+49 (0)931/25808
Fax+49 (0)931/25880
eMailmail@weingut-am-stein.de
Office Hours
Mo-Fr 14.00-18.00; Sa 10.00-17.00; Jan-Mrz: Sa 10.00-14.00
Owner

Ludwig Knoll

Cellarmaster

Ludwig Knoll & Dominik Diefenbach

Member Since

2001

Wine Area

45,30 acres

Grape Variety

35% Silvaner, 25% Burgunder, 20% Riesling, Müller-Thurgau, Scheurebe und weitere Sorten

Geology

Muschelkalk sowie eine Sedimentsschicht aus Kalkalgen

Growing Areas

Franken

Sparkling Wine / Sekt
Sekterzeuger
Eco Certifications

VDP: What is so special about your winery?

Ludwig Knoll: Our story is one of roots and wings, of tradition and innovation. Over the years, a rich tapestry of architecture, culinary arts, ecology, joy and passion has evolved, which results in wines dedicated to pleasure and life. The holistic nature of a biodynamic philosophy encourages us to build bridges. A culinary haven with special energy has been created with our Restaurant Reisers, which has become a meeting place for befriended vintners and a place to get to know our wines.

VDP: What is your winery philosophy?

Ludwig Knoll: We have practiced organic cultivation since 2006 and biodynamic cultivation since 2008 – of course, throughout our estate. We also dedicate ourselves to the care of old clones and old vines. Our wines should truly reflect their origin and be good food companions. This results in maximum individuality. 50% of the vineyard area is comprised of steep slopes between 35 and 80 % gradient, which requires intense manual cultivation.

VDP: To which wine style do you aspire?

Ludwig Knoll: Puristic and dry. My favourite variety is also the leading variety of Franken, Silvaner. Despite this, I wouldn't refuse grape varieties with good suitability for food such as Pinot varieties, Riesling or Scheurebe.
 

“WE SEEK DEPTH IN WINE.”


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

Ludwig Knoll: Our VINZ Silvaner Alte Reben.
 

VINZ Silvaner
Alte Reben

VDP: Of which wine are you particularly proud?

Ludwig Knoll: Of our VDP.GROSSE GEWÄCHSE®, but also our Sekt and our PetNat Pure & Naked (both sparkling wines).

VDP: Why did you become a vintner?

Ludwig Knoll: There is hardly another profession where you can combine creativity and enjoyment so well – and because where wine is valued, there are always great people to be found!
 

VDP: Who was your role model?

Ludwig Knoll: Technically certainly Hermann Mengler and concerning the wine soul, certainly Georg Meisner. Despite this everything really took wing through the exchange with numerous inspiring colleagues, both regionally and nationally. Keyword “Frank&Frei” and “VDP” and numerous international wine excursions.

VDP: What are your next goals?

Ludwig Knoll: We are currently working on a project to counter global warming through intelligent and sustainable water management and further resource conservation. In addition, we are currently making adjustments in our vineyards to create better ecological conditions. We are also ensuring that we integrate the next generation and get them off to a good start.

VDP: How do you combine tradition and innovation?

Ludwig Knoll: There is nothing to unite because there is no conflict substance. Good traditions allow for change and good innovations are sustainable and have the makings of tradition. This can be clearly seen in the development of our winery. We take time for our decisions and also like to wait for them to mature. What we do can also come from intuition, but always with the right vibes. Numbers, faster, louder and further is not our maxim. We’d rather look for depth.

©2022

Photos: Peter Bender