CHRISTIAN and MATTHIAS RUNKEL

VDP.ESTATE
BISCHEL

“WE BECAME MEMBERS OF THE VDP IN 2019!”

CHRISTIAN AND MATTHIAS RUNKEL SPEAK ABOUT THEIR WINES AND WINE ESTATE IN APPENHEIM

Bischel

Sonnenhof 15
55437 Appenheim

Phone+49 6725 2683
Fax+49 6725 5127
eMailinfo@weingut-bischel.de
Office Hours
Mo-Fr 9.00-18.00 Uhr und nach Vereinbarung
Owner

Familie Runkel

Cellarmaster

Christian und Matthias Runkel

Member Since

2019

Wine Area

23,50 acres

Grape Variety

35% Riesling, 45% Burgundersorten, 5% Silvaner, 15% weitere Rebsorten

Geology

Kalkstein, Tonmergel, Lösslehm, Quarzit, Porphyr

Growing Areas

Rheinhessen

Eco Certifications
  • In Öko-Umstellung

VDP: What is so special about your winery?

Matthias Runkel: We are a family winery with a young history. In northern Rheinhessen we have the opportunity to produce wines in extremely UNIQUE terroirs. Our best Rieslings grow in three VDP.GROSSE LAGE® vineyards on tertiary limestone banks, ancient quartzite rocks and volcanic porphyry. These are unique conditions and it is a great inspiration for us to make these differences apparent in the taste of our wines.

VDP: What is your winery philosophy?

Matthias Runkel: Sustainable cultivation and high-quality work in the vineyard are the foundation for our grapes. The harvest of the best grapes and a certain restraint in the cellar allow our wines to evolve.

 

VDP: For what wine style do you strive?

Matthias Runkel: We do not follow a pattern or a specific wine type. We want to produce exciting, unique wines that reflect their origins. Riesling and Pinot have the most finesse and longevity.

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

Christian Runkel: Our Riesling VDP.GUTSWEIN. It conveys our idea of wine, possesses character and provides abundant drinking pleasure.

VDP: Of which wine are you particularly proud?

Christian Runkel: Of the wines from the VDP.GROSSE LAGE® vineyards SCHARLACHBERG, HUNDERTGULDEN and HEERKRETZ.

VDP: Why did you become a vintner?

Matthias Runkel: Out of love for working in nature, working independently and of course wine.

Christian Runkel: Quite late, I’ve always helped out at the winery, but after graduating from high school I first began studying law.

VDP: Do you have role models, mentors?

Matthias Runkel: Many winegrowers have shaped our path. We are very grateful for this collegial exchange in the world of wine.

VDP: What are your next goals?

Christian Runkel: As a new member of the VDP, we would naturally like to confirm our aspirations for quality and establish ourselves among the top German wine producers.

“IF OUR WINE WERE MUSIC, IT WOULD ALWAYS BE UNPLUGGED.”

VDP: How do you combine tradition and innovation?

Christian Runkel: Both are constant companions from the vineyard to the glass. Our method of winemaking follows traditional methods. But implemented with contemporary innovations.

VDP: Why should people visit your winery?

Christian Runkel: Appenheim is definitely worth a wine trip. Here you can hike in and at the foot of the HUNDERTGULDEN. From above you have an outstanding view over the valley – from our winery, by the way. The Restaurant Hundertguldenmühle has excellent cuisine  and invites you to stop for a bite to eat.

VDP: If your wine were music, what would it be?

Matthias Runkel: It’s hard for me to commit, but it would definitely be unplugged.

 

© 2022

Photos: Peter Bender