“WE HAVE PRACTICED MATURATION IN WOODEN BARRELS IN OUR 400-YEAR-OLD VAULTED CELLAR FOR CENTURIES.”
KILIAN GRAF VON BENTZEL-STURMFEDER SPEAKS ABOUT HIS WINES AND WINE ESTATE IN SCHOZACH
Graf von Bentzel – Sturmfeder
Sturmfederstraße 4
74360 Schozach
| Phone | +49 (0)7133/960894 |
|---|---|
| Fax | +49 (0)7133/960895 |
| weingut@sturmfeder.de |
Office Hours
Mo-Fr 9.00-17.00; Sa 10.00-15.00Owner
Kilian Graf von Bentzel-Sturmfeder
Cellarmaster
Holger Matz
Member Since
1977
Wine Area
13,50 acres
Grape Variety
70% Rotwein (Spätburgunder, Samtrot, Lemberger, St. Laurent), 30% Weisswein (Riesling, Grauburgunder, Weißburgunder)
Geology
Lehm- & Keuperböden mit Kalkstein-, Muschelkalk- & Tuffstein-Verwerfungen
Growing Areas
Sparkling Wine / Sekt
VDP: What is so special about your winery?
Kilian Graf von Bentzel-Sturmfeder: Our winery is located on an old Roman road and has been family-owned for over 620 years. The terroir in the Schozach Valley consists of several geological faults, characterised by heavy loamy Keuper soils. Our rare 400-year-old vaulted cellar is a worthy sight to see and we have practiced traditional maturation in oak barrels there for centuries.
VDP: What is your winery philosophy?
Kilian Graf von Bentzel-Sturmfeder: To produce wholesome wines that develop true drinking pleasure.
VDP: Do you have a favourite grape variety?
Kilian Graf von Bentzel-Sturmfeder: Sauvignon Blanc and Lemberger (Blaufränkisch).
“MAKING WINE IS LIKE HAUTE COUTURE – THE ART OF CREATING SOMETHING ENTIRELY ONE’S OWN OUT OF THE GIVEN.”
VDP: Which of your wines would you recommend to someone who doesn't yet know your winery – as an introduction, so to speak?
Kilian Graf von Bentzel-Sturmfeder: Our VDP.GUTSWEIN Samtrot.
VDP: Of which wine are you particularly proud?
Kilian Graf von Bentzel-Sturmfeder: Of Grand Phillipp, a blend of Cabernet Dorsa and Lemberger (Blaufränkisch). The wine comes from a vineyard classified as VDP.GROSSE LAGE®.
VDP: Why did you become a vintner?
Kilian Graf von Bentzel-Sturmfeder: Because I love nature and pleasure! And at our 600th anniversary celebration, I was once again fully aware of the great tradition in which we are immersed – goose bumps!
VDP: Do you have role models or a mentor?
Kilian Graf von Bentzel-Sturmfeder: My mentor was Hermann Blankenhorn.
VDP: How do you combine tradition and innovation?
Kilian Graf von Bentzel-Sturmfeder: On the one hand, we vinify our wines traditionally in wooden barrels, on the other hand we have innovative pressing technology. We still rely on manual harvesting.
VDP: Why should people visit your winery?
Kilian Graf von Bentzel-Sturmfeder: Due to the old vaulted cellar, the peaceful location and the comfortable accommodations at our Hotel Landhaus Sturmfeder. The many historic castles in the vicinity are also attractive excursion destinations.
ROTER BERG
Lemberger GG
VDP.GROSSE LAGE®
©2023
Photos: Peter Bender
