VDP.WEINGUT
MEßMER

VDP: What is so special about your winery?

Gregor Messmer: We are not only a family operated winery; we are a brother-operated wine estate! My brother Martin is responsible for sales and I am responsible for production. You can taste our entire wine collection in the modern vinotheque at our beautiful estate. A highlight is certainly our conference room with a spectacular panoramic view of the vineyards and the Rhine Plain.
 

VDP: What is your winery philosophy?

Herbert Messmer: Our philosophy is based on three pillars: the location, the vintage, and the skills of the winegrower. Only if all three agree will you make a really good wine. We do everything we can each year to express the different vineyards and their great variety of soils in the glass – and have our very own, recognizable signature.

VDP: For what wine style do you strive? Do you have a favourite grape variety?

Herbert Messmer: Our wines should be invigorating and lively and make you want to enjoy another sip. My favourite grape variety is Riesling.

VDP: For what wine style do you strive? Do you have a favourite grape variety?

Herbert Messmer: Our wines should be invigorating and lively and make you want to enjoy another sip. My favourite grape variety is Riesling.

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

Herbert Messmer: I would choose Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris) Muschelkalk VDP.ORTSWEIN. It has mild acidity, but good substance and flavour.

VDP: Of which wine are you particularly proud?

Herbert Messmer: Of our 2014 VDP.GROSSE LAGE^® AUF DER HOHL Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) GG.

VDP: Do you have role models, mentors?

Martin Meßmer: The role model is the father. He demonstrated great entrepreneurial courage by purchasing and expanding the winery. His foresight and vision made much of what we do today possible in the first place. Even today, he still visits us daily at the winery!

VDP: What are your next goals?

Martin Meßmer: We are working organically for the 12th year, but want to become more sustainable overall in terms of the entire operation. The still young collaboration with our farm manager Jonas Bosch should result in extraordinary wines - we want to set the wine style in the Meßmer winery on a new level! Another private thing: I would like to finish my music album entitled "Winehouse", in which I have processed barrique, cellar and fermentation sounds. Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

VDP: How do you combine tradition and innovation?

Martin Meßmer: The main factor "time" must not be lost. That means first of all: observe nature in peace, intervene if necessary, find the right time for the harvest.
Time also plays the biggest role for wine in the cellar, for example during fermentation or on the lees - everything simply succeeds better that way. As far as innovation is concerned, we also use modern technology in the cellar where it makes sense.

VDP: Why should people still visit your winery?

Martin Meßmer: Because of the unique Palatinate Forest with its many chestnuts, oaks and beeches. From the St. Anna Chapel you have a dreamlike view over the sites of Burrweiler to the Rhine plain. Mountain biking in the Palatinate Forest is terrific - and afterwards, nothing beats a nice cool glass of Riesling from the Schiefer. Best of all in our vinotheque in the vineyards.