Strong and reliable collection with a high floor on the entry level and incredible peaks in the single vineyard range. Each year continues to top the one before. That’s what the trade press has said about Jürgen Hofmann and his consistent, uncompromising dedication to quality. He's made a full slate of changes since taking over the estate from his parents in 1997, including new construction, investments in cellar technology and a focus on low-intervention, environmentally friendly cultivation.
His strong sense for the best sites around his hometown is the basis for his quality. Wines from the Appenheimer Hundertgulden and Gau-Algesheimer St. Laurenzikapelle have become more than just the estate's calling cards — they are cult bottles on their own. Newer lines from top sites such as the St. Johanner Steinberg are positioning themselves as the next generation of stars as well. His current goal? To be a bit better next year than this year!
Gault Millau has described Jürgen Hofmann as a "true jack-of-all-trades." And few would argue with that description of this jovial, perpetually active vintner! His wine portfolio, which has held three Gault Millau grapes continuously since 2010, is itself a reflection of his versatility. Alongside the Rheinhessen estate wines that he produces together with his wife Carolin, he is also part of the action at their shared estate on the Saar.
And that doesn’t even account for the many wine projects and cooperations that have arisen with his lively network of colleagues. Jürgen is known for a remarkable openness and honesty towards friends, customers and business partners, a way of life that has also served as a surprisingly effective motor for new ideas. Last but not least, he is seen as a pioneer in his region who recognized and promoted the potential of shell limestone and the Appenheim Hundertgulden vineyard early on.
Wein-Plus 2019: "Newcomer of the Year 2019"
Gault Millau 2019: 3 Grapes
Eichelmann 2019: 4 Stars
Vinum 2019: 3 Stars
Education:
Experience:
On the stretch between Mainz and Bingen, nestled roughly 5 km away from the banks of the Rhine River, lies the wine village of Appenheim. Some 20 million years ago the tendrils of the primordial sea reached this spot in northern Rheinhessen. The best vineyards bear witness to that history through their composition of shell limestone from the Tertiary Age and the wines of incredible minerality and expressiveness that they produce. Geological history is never far away here. Walks through the vineyard routinely reveal numerous fossils from that era.
Hofmann’s Rieslings reflect the unique geological and climatic advantages of this very special place. As does the remainder of his portfolio, including wines made from Grüner Silvaner, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and the Pinot family, all beautiful encapsulations of the very soil his region is built upon.
In addition to the "Appenheimer Eselspfad" and the "Laurenzikapelle," Jürgen Hofmann was especially captivated by the untapped potential of his "Hundertgulden," a perpetually underappreciated limestone-rich site on the slopes of the Westerberg. The heart of the vineyard faces due south and is notable for measuring the highest carbon content of any site in Germany. The result: deliciously drinkable wines of extremely high pH levels and pronounced minerality.
Another top Riesling from Hofmann grows about 40 km southeast of Appenheim on the Niersteiner Ölberg. Situated directly on the Rhine River, it is one of the country’s top vineyards thanks to its Rotliegend soils (a distinctive reddish mix of slate and sandstone) and ideal microclimatic conditions.
A spicy and elegant wine from one of Rheinhessen’s traditional varieties, grown in the marl vineyards surrounding Appenheim. The four aces on the label represent the playful exchange of aromas.
2022 | BIO Grüner Silvaner | trocken
The grapes for this wine thrive in fertile limestone, marl and loess soils. They are shaped by dominant fruity aromas of melon and pear. Beautiful creamy texture within a structure as light and delicate as a tender green leaf.
2023 | BIO Weißburgunder | trocken
A fresh, lively wine from the feet of the renowned "Hundertgulden" vineyard. Creamy texture with notes of melon and banana join a taut backbone to deliver a decent bite — symbolized by the teeth on the label.
2023 | BIO Grauburgunder | trocken
The distinctive bouquet of our Scheurebe features black currant, grapefruit, peach and ripe pears. Somewhat similar in taste and aroma to our beloved Sauvignon Blanc — hence the little kiwi chicks that play off the label of its bigger brother. Yet our 'Scheu' is a bit charmingly shy, of a subtle nature that ultimately makes it a more versatile pairing partner.
2023 | BIO Scheurebe | trocken
Grapes from Rotliegend slate on the "Roter Hang" and the limestone soils surrounding Appenheim come together in our spicy and mineral-rich Gutsriesling. Marked with aromas of dried apricots, this estate-level wine moves with the delicate, racy elegance of a ballerina.
2023 | BIO Riesling | trocken
This sleek beauty — delicate as a feather — comes from the warm south-facing slopes of the Appenheimer Eselspfad, our oldest Weißburgunder vineyard. Creamy with notes of melon and pear, it includes barrique accents that add the final polish.
2021 | Weißburgunder & Chardonnay | trocken
This Chardonnay ripens through late autumn in its home at the foot of the limestone-rich "Hundertgulden" site. The label depicts the skeleton of a Rheinhessen manatee, which swam here in the Tertiary age. While only a small portion of the wine is matured in barrique, it nonetheless delivers a concentrated wine with an elegant spice and a subtle touch of vanilla. The balanced wine is rounded out by juicy notes of fig and apricot.
2021 | Chardonnay | trocken
Our popular Sauvignon Blanc is crafted from batches of healthy grapes from our various vineyards, all harvested at different times. This produces a complex range of cool aromas from gooseberry and elderberry to green asparagus with tropical fruits, redolent of the wines from its native country of New Zealand (represented here by a small Kiwi bird).
2023 | BIO Sauvignon Blanc | trocken
This "little Hundertgulden" comes from young Riesling vines in our limestone-laced top vineyard. Dried apricots mingle with a fine salinity, extract and spice to exert lithe strength on the palate. It owes its distinctive character to the coral reef that once shaped the soils here during the Tertiary age. It is represented on the label by a common fossil from that period.
2023 | BIO Riesling | trocken
Our "house Großes Gewächs": A Riesling of depth, richness and complexity, juxtaposing minerality and salinity with ripe yellow and tropical fruits. The grapes come exclusively from the steep southern-facing slopes of the Appenheimer "Hundertgulden" vineyard, whose 'big money' name inspired the label illustration. Shell limestone from the Tertiary period characterizes the soil of this, our oldest vineyard (50 years of age).
2022 | Riesling | trocken
Shaped like a parabolic mirror, the incoming sunshine falls with enhanced concentration upon the "Sankt Laurenzikapelle" (Saint Laurence Chapel) vineyard. Our eldest Sauvignon Blanc vines thrive in the limestone and fine earth topsoil. We harvest the grapes in stages, using individual passes through the vineyard that ultimately result in a remarkable range of green and tropical fruit aromas. The exceptionally small yields lend the wine its complexity and structure, while barrique aging imparts gentle coconut accents. The palm tree on the label has a dual meaning. On the one hand, it depicts the tropical character of the wine. Yet it also is an allusion to the importance of the Laurenzi Church as a memorial to the martyrs (symbolized in Christian writings by a palm branch).
2021 | Sauvignon Blanc | trocken
Our oldest Sauvignon Blanc vines grow in the limestone soils of the sun-kissed Sankt Laurenzikapelle vineyard. We allow the grapes to ripen to various degrees before harvesting in batches, which lends the wine a wonderful range of green and tropical fruit aromas. Matured in 670-liter cement eggs, the wines are vinified using a gentle micro-oxygenation without any barrel influence. This approach gives the wines a striking element of salt and spice alongside the fruit. The nose opens with a melange of pink grapefruit, yellow fruits and floral and yeast aromas. On the palate, the wine delivers a taut acidity with supple texture, concentration and juiciness with a long finish.
2021 | Sauvignon Blanc | trocken
With limestone bedrock and clay loess topsoils, the Appenheim Eselspfad is the ideal terroir for our more than 40-year-old Weißburgunder vines. The southern exposure gives the wine amazing minerality, as well as power and juiciness. Following the wild fermentation, the wine rests for a number of months in Sylvain barrels on the fine lees. The result is a complex wine with stunning notes of melon and honey together with a subtle barrel influence. The palate is taut with a beautiful creamy texture and power. As fantastic on its own as it is with rich meals!
2021 | Weißer Burgunder | trocken
The district of St. Johann is not only where Grandpa Hofmann was born, it is also home to one of our best vineyards, the Steinberg. Its conditions are ideal for Chardonnay, fostering a wine of equal parts minerality, power and creaminess on the palate. Late harvest, wild fermentation in French barrique and an extended time on the fine lees set the stage for truly grand white wines. The nose is notable for its juicy aromas, with pear, fig and exotic fruits accented with whispers of subtle herbs and oak. Beautifully balanced with a gentle acidity and wonderful length, a crown jewel in our portfolio!
2020 | Chardonnay | trocken
Summer, sun and parasols: Our "Rossi" is a wine for uncomplicated moments with friends, and is just as much fun enjoyed solo as it is with a wide range of easy and light summer fare. A pale, juicy wine with aromas of raspberry and strawberry.
2023 | BIO Spätburgunder, Portugieser | trocken
Our "little" Pinot grows in the "Daubhaus," an Appenheim vineyard of loess soils laced with limestone. Matured in large oak barrels, it delivers spicy notes and aromas of cassis. An elegant wine, as easy and comfortable to sink into as an antique velvet armchair.
2017 | Spätburgunder | trocken
Our symphony of the senses is composed of a balanced blend of three different red wines. It presents clear shades of ruby red in the glass, from which rise aromas of dark fruits, raspberries and accents of leather and licorice. The palate is taut, and at once complex and supple.
2022 | Regent, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot | trocken
A powerful Pinot Noir, matured for 16 months in French barrique, for a beautiful symbiosis of elegance and strength. The fruit from this small berried Pinot clone grows on the south-facing limestone slopes of the Appenheim "Eselspfad" vineyard and delivers highly concentrated wines marked with an elegant cassis character.
2020 | Spätburgunder | trocken
Weißer Burgunder, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling come together in a light, mouth-watering and deliciously drinkable white Rheinhessen blend.
2023 | Weißer Burgunder, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling | trocken
