We’re thrilled to kick off Season 2 of Grape Masters with a story of partnership, passion, and innovation. In this inaugural episode, we delve into the intertwined histories of two of Germany’s most iconic wineries: Weingut Kühling-Gillot Battenfeld-Spanier, located in Rheinhessen.
Our guest, Carolin Spanier, shares insights into the legacy of her family’s Kühling-Gillot estate, renowned for its red slate soils and distinct mineral-driven wines. She also reveals how her husband, Hans Oliver (H.O.) Spanier, transformed Battenfeld-Spanier into a pioneer of biodynamic winemaking on the limestone terroir of the Zellertal Valley.
Together, Carolin and H.O. exemplify the perfect balance of tradition and modernity, sustainability, and innovation. From their challenges in adapting to climate change to their collaboration in elevating Rheinhessen’s global reputation, their journey is nothing short of inspiring.
Carolin also discusses their global impact, exporting to 38 countries, and their collaboration with La Place de Bordeaux, which has brought German Riesling into the spotlight as a world-class wine.
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.
Season 2, Episode 1 of Grape Masters is available on all major podcast platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcast, Amazon Music, YouTube Music and through RSS feed. Don’t forget to subscribe and like our podcast to stay updated on upcoming episodes.
Learn more about Kühling-Gillot Battenfeld-Spanier on our website, and discover the incredible wines that define Rheinhessen!
We would like to thank our guest, Carolin Spanier, for sharing her remarkable story. Kühling Battenfeld is imported by, and available through, De Bruijn in Wijnen and Bâtard Vintrepreneurs.
Discover Château Le Puy, a historic Bordeaux estate in Saint-Cibard that has quietly practiced biodynamic farming and minimal-intervention winemaking for over 400 years. From Vin de France Emilien to the no-sulphur Barthélemy, these distinctive Bordeaux wines reveal a rare expression of terroir, purity, and tradition beyond the region’s conventional path.
Restaurant Bisous in Amsterdam introduces Bordeaux Mondays, offering rare and mature Bordeaux wines by the glass from an exceptional private cellar. Each week features a different Bordeaux theme—from Pomerol to Grand Cru First Growths—allowing wine lovers to discover iconic estates like Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Latour, and Château Margaux in an accessible and unique tasting experience.
At Wine Paris 2026, Annie Favia and Andy Erickson reflect on the evolution of Favia Wines and present the Favia Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 (96/100), a benchmark expression blending Oakville power with Coombsville precision. Rooted in decades of vineyard expertise and a new Oakville estate designed for the future, Favia Wines continues to shape the identity of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with restraint, structure, and site-driven clarity.
Finca La Emperatriz, a single-estate winery in Rioja Alta owned by Hermanos Hernáiz, champions estate-grown, Viñedo Singular wines that highlight terroir, old vines and the historic Oja Valley. In contrast to Rioja’s large-scale producers, Eduardo Hernáiz focuses on organic bush vines, low yields and a grand vin philosophy to craft age-worthy Tempranillo and Viura that redefine Rioja identity.
Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion redefines modern Bordeaux wine from within the city itself, combining four centuries of heritage with precision viticulture and contemporary whole-cluster winemaking. Located in the heart of Bordeaux, this historic urban vineyard produces elegant, Cabernet Franc–driven wines that balance freshness, structure, and early drinkability while retaining exceptional ageing potential.
In an in-depth conversation with Managing Director Jessica Julmy, TEMPOS Vega Sicilia reveals a philosophy where time, not urgency, shapes every decision from vineyard to release. Through the contrasting yet connected stories of Alión in Ribera del Duero and Pintia in Toro, the group’s patient, place-driven approach unfolds as a quiet counterpoint to the speed of today’s fine-wine market.
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