VDP.Estate
Wwe. Dr. H. Thanisch, Erben Thanisch

"KATHARINA THANISCH WAS ONE OF THE FOUNDING MEMBERS FIRST OF THE GROSSEN RING ON THE MOSEL AND THEN OF THE VDP IN 1910!"

SOFIA THANISCH ABOUT HER WINES AND HER WINERY IN BERNKASTEL

Wwe. Dr. H. Thanisch, Erben Thanisch

Saarallee 31
54470 Bernkastel-Kues

Phone+49 (0)6531/2282
Fax+49 (0)6531/2226
eMailsofia@thanisch-vdp.de
Office Hours
Mo-Sa nach Vereinbarung
Owner

Sofia Thanisch

Cellarmaster

Dipl.Ing. Olaf Kaufmann

Wine Area

9,10 acres

Grape Variety

100% Riesling

VDP: What is special about your winery?

Sofia Thanisch: First and foremost, we are a family winery; 12 generations of our family have been involved in viticulture on the Middle Mosel since the 1st half of the 17th century. But in the fifth generation we are also a women's winery. The female tradition started with my great-grandmother Katharina Thanisch. She was the wife of the winery owner and member of the Prussian House of Representatives, Dr. Hugo Thanisch. When he died in 1895 at the age of only 41, she was just 29 years old and had three small children. The winery was named "Witwe Dr. H. Thanisch" after her. When a winery is run by women 5 generations in a row, this is a peculiarity that should be extremely rare to find.

At the end of the 19th century our wines could be found on the wine lists of the most famous hotels and restaurants and were served "at court", not only in Germany, but also in England! Our most famous vineyard is the Berncastel DOCTOR, which can be considered world famous and the most expensive vineyard in Germany. Our family has owned parcels of this vineyard for 200 years. Under the vineyard is the "Doctor Cellar", which also has a 400-year history and where today some of our rarities are stored.

VDP: What is your winery philosophy?

Sofia Thanisch: Quality and tradition are our trademarks! 385 years of documented winemaking tradition in our family stand for 385 vintages of classic, animating Moselle Rieslings at a high level. We are committed to this quality standard and our tradition.

VDP: What style of wine do you strive for?

Sofia Thanisch: Classically elegant Mosel Riesling with delicate fruit sweetness.

VDP: Which of your wines would you recommend to someone who doesn't yet know your winery - as an introduction, so to speak?

Sofia Thanisch: The classic or the off-dry Riesling Kabinett. These are wines that represent the potential of our Mosel Rieslings very well with their balance of sweetness, acidity and minerality. In addition, they are true all-rounders, because they go well with many dishes or simply provide drinking pleasure.

VDP: Which wine are you particularly proud of?

Sofia Thanisch: I am proud of all my wines! Year after year, our collections cover the broad spectrum of tastes in Mosel Riesling. Of course, we are also pleased when one of our wines is particularly praised, whether by our customers or the trade press.

VDP: Why did you become a winemaker?

Sofia Thanisch: When you grow up in a winery, you get to know the rhythm of the wine year from an early age. The decision for the profession then matures slowly, like good wine.

DOCTOR
Riesling Auslese
VDP.GROSSE LAGE®

"WITH OUR CLASSIC MOSELRIESLINGS, WE HAVE A UNIQUE SELLING POINT THAT CANNOT BE COPIED ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD".

VDP: Do you have any role models?

Sofia Thanisch: As the 11th generation, one has many role models in the family in a successful winery. Of my various internship stations, Count Matuschka Greiffenklau impressed me very much because of his personality, competence and volunteer work.

VDP: What are your next goals?

Sofia Thanisch: I have a number of plans for the coming years. First and foremost, to produce excellent wines, to further modernize my winery, to take advantage of market opportunities at home and abroad, to secure motivated employees, to meet the challenges of climate change, and to continue to focus on sustainability. Another important goal is to organize an orderly handover of the business to the 12th generation in the family, my daughter Christina. Christina has been working at the winery for a good three years now, following her studies in Geisenheim and several years of practical experience in Germany and abroad. It is a pleasure to observe how committed and competent she is in tackling the many tasks and challenges. And I am a little proud that I was able to motivate her for our winery.

VDP: How do you combine tradition and innovation?

Sofia Thanisch: As a family winery for almost four centuries, it is in our DNA to constantly adapt to new circumstances, to set new priorities. To describe it with a picture: We live directly on a river and therefore know from our own experience: "Whoever stops rowing on a river, drifts back!" One of our convictions is that Riesling is the best white grape variety par excellence. With the classic Mosel Rieslings, we have a unique selling point that cannot be copied anywhere in the world.

Pictures: © VDP.Weingut Wwe. Dr. H. Thanisch, Erben Thanisch

by Christoph Arnoldi