BRUNO AND JAKOB SCHIMPF

VDP.ESTATE
SIEGRIST

“I BECAME A VINTNER TO MAKE VERY GOOD WINE AND ABOVE ALL TO WORK IN AND WITH NATURE!”

WINEMAKER BRUNO SCHIMPF SPEAKS ABOUT HIS WINES AND THE SIEGRIST WINE ESTATE IN LEINSWEILER

Siegrist

Am Hasensprung 4
76829 Leinsweiler

Phone+49 (0)6345/1309
Fax+49 (0)6345/7542
eMailwein@weingut-siegrist.de
Office Hours
Mo-Fr 9.00-12.00, 13.30-18.00; Sa 9.00-16.00 sowie nach Vereinbarung
Owner

Familien Siegrist & Schimpf

Cellarmaster

Bruno Schimpf

Member Since

2000

Wine Area

18,80 acres

Grape Variety

30% Riesling, 17% Spätburgunder, 10% Weissburgunder, 10% Chardonnay, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot sowie Grauburgunder, Dornfelder, Silvaner

Geology

Kalkmergel, Lösslehm, Buntsandsteinverwitterung, Keuper, Ton

Growing Areas

Pfalz

Memberships

VDP: What is so special about your wine estate?

Bruno Schimpf: The historic tithing cellar, which dates 1555, is a treasure trove of rarities and is certainly worth seeing. And of course, my father-in-law: he was one of Germany’s pioneers in employing small oak barrels in winemaking. The location of our winery has a splendid view of the Rhine Plain and the Slevogthof, the former summer residence of the impressionist Max Slevogt.

VDP: What is your winery philosophy?

Bruno Schimpf: We make honest, dry wines that reflect their origins and soils. And you can taste the character of every single vintage.

VDP: For what wine style do you strive?

Bruno Schimpf: A clear line – wines without frills. Wines may also be demanding and command attention. We strive for everything other than mainstream.

VDP: What are your favourite grape varieties?

Bruno Schimpf: Riesling and Pinot Noir.

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

Bruno Schimpf: Our Pinot Blanc VDP.GUTSWEIN and the VDP.ORTSWEIN Leinsweiler Heidenbäumel Riesling.

VDP: Of which wine are you particularly proud?

Bruno Schimpf: Of our VDP.GROSSE LAGE® SONNENBERG Riesling GG, a unique wine that perfectly reflects the vintage each year. I am also proud of our VDP.GROSSE LAGE® KALMIT Pinot Noir GG, which is strongly reminiscent of Burgundy. Last but not least, is our Chardonnay Réserve! We ferment 100 percent of this wine in new barrique barrels and mature it on the fine lees for 24 months before bottling without filtration; this is the flagship of the Siegrist winery!

SONNENBERG
Riesling GG
VDP.GROSSE LAGE®

“MAKING WINE IS LIKE RAISING CHILDREN – YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO KEEP UP WITH THEM!”

VDP: Why did you become a vintner?

Bruno Schimpf: I always wanted to be a farmer or a winegrower or both! I am in the fortunate position to be able to say that my dream has come true.

VDP: Do you have role models?

Bruno Schimpf: Yes indeed, even a whole series! Aubert de Villaine by Romanée Conti in Burgundy. Josko Gravner from the Gravner winery in Friuli. And of course, the oldies of the ‘Five Vintners – Five Friends’, Becker, Münzberg, Rebholz, Wehrheim and, of course, Siegrist!

VDP: What are your next goals?

Bruno Schimpf: We will modernize the cask cellar and also build a new barrique cellar. With this, we will have much shorter distances.

VDP: What would you compare to making wine?

Bruno Schimpf: Raising children: You always have to watch them and keep them on the right track so that they develop well. You always have to keep up with them, even if it sometimes takes a lot of effort – one could say ‘elevage’!

©2022

Photos: Peter Bender