In our third episode, we travel to Germany to meet Philipp Wittmann of Weingut Wittmann, located in the Rheinhessen region. Weingut Wittmann has gathered a cult-following with their iconic dry Riesling wines, leading them to the top of the German wine charts.
Born and raised in the village of Westhofen Philipp was one of the initiators of a ‘new wave’ of winemakers, that entered the industry in the early 2000’s. Together with some friends from the region they set out to change the imagine of Rheinhessen, and elevate the status of its wines. The result? They became some of the most sought-after German wine producers in the world.
In this episode we talk with Philipp about his vision and the successes he created since entering the family-owned winery some 30 years ago. On top of that we uncover how a small village brings forward some of the best wines in the country, and we talk about the bio-dynamic principles and challenges Wittmann deals with.
Weingut Wittmann exemplifies excellence and tradition. This winery, led by Philipp Wittmann, has gained international acclaim for its exceptional Rieslings and commitment to biodynamic practices.
The winery is located in the charming village of Westhofen, where the Wittmann family has been cultivating vineyards for generations. Philipp Wittmann, the current winemaker and owner, inherited not just the family business, but a rich legacy of viticulture. His parents laid the foundation, embracing organic farming over 30 years ago, a commitment that Philipp has elevated to biodynamic farming since 2004.
The estate’s vineyards, including the renowned sites of Aulerde, Kirchspiel, Brunnenhäuschen, and Morstein, are the bedrock of their winemaking philosophy. These vineyards, each with its unique soil composition and microclimate, contribute to the distinctive character of Wittmann wines.
For an in-depth exploration of Weingut Wittmann visit our website at Dutch Wine Apprentice.com or click here.
Weingut Wittmann’s success is not solely the result of individual effort. Philipp credits the supportive network of family and dedicated team members, including his father, who continues to manage the vineyards, and his wife Eva, who runs her own estate in the Mosel Valley (Weingut Ansgar Clüsserath). Collaboration extends beyond the family, as Philipp actively engages with other winemakers in the region, to share knowledge and elevate Rheinhessen’s reputation.
The “Message in a Bottle” initiative, started in the early 2000s, exemplifies this spirit of cooperation. A group of young winemakers from Rheinhessen, including Philipp, banded together to promote the region’s potential for producing high-quality wines. This collective effort has transformed Rheinhessen’s image, showcasing it as a dynamic and innovative wine region.
Grape Masters, by Dutch Wine Apprentice, brings you exclusive interviews with leading wineries and iconic winemakers. Through 1:1 interviews we learn what is the key behind their success, share behind the scene insights and personal stories. Join us and learn from the best of the best, while enjoying a glass of wine!
You can read more about Grape Masters here.
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We would like to Pallas Wines, Wittmann’s proud importer in the Netherlands, for their collaboration on this Podcast, and of course our guest: Philipp Wittmann from Weingut Wittmann.
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