Dr. Bürklin-Wolf / Fam. Bürklin
White wines from Dr. Bürklin-Wolf / Fam. Bürklin
Sweet wines from Dr. Bürklin-Wolf / Fam. Bürklin
from Dr. Bürklin-Wolf / Fam. Bürklin
The Pfalz (Palatinate) region is often, and rightfully, called the German „Tuscany", where even the Romans felt very much at home. A mild climate prevails under the protection of the local forests, which allows almond, fig, pine and cypress trees to thrive and also grant the landscapes with a Mediterranean touch.
The tradition at the Bürklin-Wolf winery dates back to 1597 and is today lead by Bettina Bürklin-von Guradze. The spacious and prestigious estate can be found in charming Wachenheim on the wine route. Visitors are always welcome for a tasting at the Vinotek (www.buerklin-wolf.de). The vineyards, mostly planted with Riesling, are located around Wachenheim and the surrounding villages on parcels baring odd names like Ungeheuer (Ogre) or Gerümpel (Junk).
A particularity of Pfalz is the fantastic diversity of the terroir. When one knows how important the origin is for the quality of a wine (and especially for the Riesling), the domain decided to follow a Burgundy pattern to define their parcels. The most exclusive ones are the Grand Crus (G.C.), which allow the real personality of a wine to develop during its long and fascinating life. The wines from the precious Premiers Crus (P.C.) reflect their origins and are just as unique, though less exclusive, as their Grand Crus counterparts.
Bettina Bürklin-von Guradze sees the use of the biodynamic agriculture as the winery's best tool to express the specific properties of each appellation of origin. Also the simpler local wines and the much-loved Gutsriesling, which originates from different parcels, receive the same care and attention. The winery is part of the Syndicat International des Vignerons en Culture Bio-Dynamique (Biodyvin) and gets its certification since 2005. The Pfalz has much to offer when it comes to cultural landmarks, recreation in the free nature and, of course, countless oenology and culinary places of interest. The nearby Restaurant Hofgut Ruppertsberg is an address one simply shouldn't ignore (www.dashofgut.com).
Producer
Viñedos Lacalle y Laorden
In 2015 the two families of Zapiain and Lopez de Lacalle launched the Izar-Leku Mahastiak project (today Grupo Artadi) in Zarautz/Basque Country, with the aim of producing a table wine as well as a sparkling wine with Txakoli as the base wine. Today this sparkling wine is part of the "Viñedos Lacalle y Laorden" company - just like the premium single-vineyard wine "Viña El Pisón", though this wine comes from the Álava/Rioja region.
Distillerie Tessendier & Fils
Grape growers, producers of Cognac and innovative spirits
“Time is of the essence for creating high-quality spirits” (Jérôme Tessendier)
The Tessendier & Fils Distillery, established in 1880, is a family-run business based in Cognac and Jarnac, on the banks of the Charente, which produces a diverse portfolio of high-quality Cognacs (see Cognac Park) with a modern twist. The heirs, Jérôme and Lilian Tessendier, have succeeded in modernising the family business in the face of the international dimension of the market: first by creating their own brand of Cognac, then by drawing on their ancestral savoir-faire to refine other types of spirits. This knowledge was forged over time, improved from generation to generation and is now shared by the Tessendier Distillery through three Cognac series (Park, Campagnère, Grand Breuil), each with its own unique character, its own history.
Fattoria La Gerla / Sergio Rossi
Standing on La Gerla's terrace, one's view sweeps over Montalcino's peaceful landscape with its hills, vineyards, slim cypresses, and estates scattered all around. Nestled in the Colli Senesi to the south of Siena, the area comprises approx. 2000 hectares (up from just sixty hectares 50 years ago!).