VDP.ESTATE
FÜRST HOHENLOHE OEHRINGEN

VDP:What is so special about your winery?

Joachim Brand: We are the only VDP.Wine Estate in the Hohenlohe district. It is a family winery in the 27^th family generation of the Princes of Hohenlohe Oehringen, which has been involved in viticulture since 1256. The monopole vineyard VDP.GROSSE LAGE® VERRENBERG in Verrenberg is unique in the Hohenlohe district because it is characterised by shell limestone inclusions in the Keuper shale. Our red wine cellar holds one of the few remaining wooden rim barrels, which bears the family coat of arms and was filled for the first time in 1704.

VDP:What is your winery philosophy?

Joachim Brand: Preserving tradition, but without stagnation.

VDP: For what wine style do you strive?

Joachim Brand: Unique wines with character of origin like our Lemberger and Lemberger blends, as well as our Rieslings.

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

Joachim Brand: VDP.GUTSWEIN Lemberger, dry, or VDP.ORTSWEIN Verrenberg Riesling, dry.

VDP: Auf welchen Wein sind Sie ganz besonders stolz?

Joachim Brand: Auf den Ex flammis orior H.A.D.E.S. “DIE Rotweincuvée“, eine Cuvée aus Lemberger, Cabernet Franc und Merlot. Die H.A.D.E.S.-Weingüter, zu denen wir gehören, blicken auf einen langen Erfahrungsschatz zurück, was die Weinveredlung im kleinen Eichenfass betrifft.

VDP:Of which wine are you particularly proud?

Joachim Brand: Of the ex flammis orior HADES. “DIE Rotweincuvée”, a blend of Lemberger, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. We are members of the HADES vintner association, which can look back on a wealth of experience in vinification in small oak barrels.

VDP:Why did you become a vintner?

Joachim Brand: Winemaking is the fluid expression of one’s own creativity. In addition, in case you’ve forgotten, you learn to live with and from nature again. We also give something back to our environment through organic farming.

VDP:What are your next goals?

Joachim Brand: Fine-tuning in terms of quality and style from time to time. However, this is not a goal that is reached at a specific point, but the daily path we take.

VDP:How do you combine tradition and innovation?

Joachim Brand: It goes without saying that we adhere to tradition. Fast-moving and blindly striving for change would not be congruent with successful viticulture over 27 family generations.

VDP:Why should people visit your winery?

Joachim Brand: The Hohenlohe district is Limes region and famous for all kinds of culinary delicacies such as Boeuf de Hohenlohe or Swabian-Hall pork.