SCHLOSSGUT HOHENBEILSTEIN (VDP)

“NOT EVERYTHING HAS TO BE MADE NEW, BUT MANY THINGS CAN BE RETHOUGHT.”

JUNIOR AND WINEMAKER JOSCHA DIPPON SPEAKS ABOUT HIS WINES AND WINE ESTATE.

Schlossgut Hohenbeilstein

Schlossstraße 40
71717 Beilstein

Phone+49 (0)7062/937110
Fax+49 (0)7062/9371122
eMailinfo@schlossgut-hohenbeilstein.de
Office Hours
Mo-Fr 9.00-12.00, 13.00-18.00; Sa 9.00-13.00
Owner

Joscha Dippon

Cellarmaster

Joscha Dippon

Member Since

1973

Wine Area

11,80 acres

Grape Variety

Trollinger, Riesling, Lemberger, Spät- , Weissburgunder, Muskattrollinger, Cabernet-Neuzüchtungen sowie Regent, Cabernet Blanc

Geology

Gipskeuper, Mergel

Growing Areas

Württemberg

Features
Wine tasting, Guided tours of the company / cellar, Event location, Barrier free access
Sparkling Wine / Sekt
Sekterzeuger
Eco Certifications

VDP: What is so special about your winery?

Joscha Dippon: The special thing about our organic wine estate is definitely the monopole vineyard SCHLOSSWENGERT on Hohenbeilstein. This is where our VDP.GROSSE GEWÄCHS® wines are produced. The SCHLOSSWENGERT consists of approximately six hectares of vineyard on the castle’s own mountain. The wine estate comprises a total of around 16 hectares. Healthy grapes grow on these partially terraced slopes, which are vinified into fine wines. Our superb quality is confirmed each year through numerous awards and prizes.

 

The history of the winery goes back to the beginnings of the 20th century with the founder, Robert Vollmöller. Since my grandfather Eberhard Dippon acquired the winery in 1959, it has been family-owned. My parents, my wife Silke and I currently work at the winery. We are indeed a real family business, especially when it comes to our events at the wine estate. Our siblings and their families as well as friends and acquaintances help out. The fantastic view from our park over the Bottwartal to Stuttgart is also very special.


VDP: What is your winery philosophy?

Joscha Dippon: My father, Hartmann Dippon, had already decided in favour of organic winegrowing in 1993. He is thus regarded as one of the pioneers and lateral thinkers of the organic wine scene. It is important for us to work in harmony with nature according to his credo: “Good wine comes from an intact landscape. Great wines are created when the potential of the ecosystem can be used optimally.” Together we want to raise consumer awareness for high-quality organic wines.

 

VDP: For what wine style do you strive?

Joscha Dippon: I like complex and multi-layered Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir). My goal is to produce Spätburgunder with playful fruit yet good structure. My Edition J has exactly these attributes thanks to semi-carbonic maceration. By the way, our red wines are almost exclusively matured in French barriques.


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

Joscha Dippon: There is no such thing as one good entry-level wine, as individual tastes are as diverse as our wine selection. The best way for us to find the right wine for someone is to speak with them personally.


VDP: Of which wine are you particularly proud?

Joscha Dippon: Our red wine blend “Robert Vollmöller” has been on the market for 20 years and still lives up to its name today. It is very popular with our customers due to its powerful structure and harmonious maturation in barriques. If you ask me, it is our wine with the best price-performance ratio!

 

“I LOVE AND LIVE THE WINEGROWING PROFESSION.”

VDP: Why did you become a vintner?

Joscha Dippon: There is no other profession that is more versatile than that of a vintner! I am proud to accompany and be responsible for my wines from the development of the idea through production and sales. I love and live the winegrowing profession!


VDP: Do you have role models?

Joscha Dippon: I don’t have such a definite role model. Of course, my father’s experience has a great influence on our work, but at the same time I go my own way.

 

Lemberger
VDP.GUTSWEIN

VDP: What are your next goals?

Joscha Dippon: With the takeover of the winery on 1 July 2019, my family and I are the third generation to herald the new era of the estate.


VDP: How do you combine tradition and innovation?

Joscha Dippon: Of course, I stick to traditions that have proven their value over many years. Not everything has to be made new, but many things can be rethought. There will certainly be change and innovation under my name – let us surprise you!

VDP: Why should people visit your winery?

Joscha Dippon: Counter question: why would you want to miss the view, the atmospheric events and a personal insight into the winery? This is the only way to truly experience wine. We would also be very pleased to talk to you and get to know you as friends of our wines.

 

©2023

Photos: Peter Bender