Mainz | April 2019

Matthias Hey was accepted at the end of March in Freiburg/Unstrut into the Association of German Prädikatsweingüter (VDP). This makes him the third winegrower from Saale-Unstrut, along with Uwe Lützkendorf and Bernard Pawis, to be allowed to decorate his capsules with the coveted eagle from now on. Together with the two Saxons, Klaus Zimmerling and Georg Prinz zur Lippe from the winery Schloss Proschwitz, the VDP. Regional Association Saxony/Saale-Unstrut now present with five wineries.

 Matthias Hey cultivates Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Gutedel, Müller-Thurgau, Pinot Noir and Blauer Zweigelt in his six-hectare vineyard.

His parents Sigrun and Reinhard laid the cornerstone of his success story in 2001 with the purchase of a winegrower's farm and a parcel in the historic "Naumburger Steinmeister" vineyard. After his oenology studies in Geisenheim and practical semesters in Italy, the Naumburg winegrower returned to his parents' winery in 2007 to present his first vintage the following year. For him, "quality-oriented action with respect for his individual terroir" has long been a passionate endeavour. Matthias Hey is co-initiator of the "Breitengrad 51" winegrowers' initiative. This initiative has set itself the goal of highlighting the special Cool Climate style of the wines produced at Breitengrad 51 in a special way. Matthias Hey convinced the VDP with his filigree wines that reflect their terroir in a special way.

"We know every single grape personally, because our wines are produced exclusively by selective hand-picking. The very mineral-rich shell limestone soil and more than 1600 hours of sunshine per year offer ideal conditions for filigree and at the same time expressive wines". Matthias Hey