Heymann-Löwenstein / Fam. Löwenstein
A landscape just as impressive as that of Vaud can be found some 400 kilometres to the north, on the Moselle. As on Lake Geneva, dry stone walls, painstakingly built by hand, characterise the steep terraces here too. However, instead of the loamy, calcareous moraine soils of the Rhône Glacier, the landscape is dominated by ancient slate soils formed around 400 million years ago by the collision of the primordial continents of Old Red and Gondwana.
Like Chasselas, Riesling is also capable of reflecting the unique character of its soil. It is a fascinating thought: to drink wine grown on such ancient soils. Yet for the winemaker and philosopher Reinhard Löwenstein, this perspective falls short. Wine is far more than just terroir – it also reflects the climate, craftsmanship and the winemaker’s decisions. «It is important to recognise how complex everything is and that black-and-white thinking gets us nowhere. As in life, many things remain mere approximations – and that is precisely where their beauty lies.»
White wines from Heymann-Löwenstein / Fam. Löwenstein
from Heymann-Löwenstein / Fam. Löwenstein
The Löwenstein family is stepping down – the Heymann-Löwenstein winery will continue to operate. Since 1 January 2026, Thomas Dörr, previously sales manager at the Palatinate VDP winery Dr. Bürklin-Wolf, has been the new managing director. He is supported by Jochen Heigoldt, founder and CEO of wine merchant Vioneers. The seasons, the slate soils and the dedication of so many people will continue to ensure the enduring fascination of Heymann-Löwenstein wines in the future.
«We are handing over our life’s work with pride and confidence,» says Reinhard Löwenstein, who will continue to be associated with the business in an advisory capacity. «It was important to us that our winery should pass into the hands of people who share our passion for wine, terroir and quality. In Thomas Dörr and Jochen Heigoldt, we have found the ideal successors.»
Producer
Castro Ventosa / Fam. Pérez Pereira
Castro Ventosa – a winery in the heart of the Bierzo wine-growing region. The Bierzo region comprises around 3,500 hectares of vineyards, 70 per cent of which are planted with vines aged between 40 and over 100 years. The native Mencía grape variety thrives in the sandy limestone soil.
Domaine Cornulus
What started out from humble beginnings over 20 years ago is now one of Valais’ flagship wineries and the byword for both a way of working in harmony with nature and premium wines, all of which strongly bring out their individual terroir.
Domaine Julien Brocard
The seven vineyards - Chablis "naturally"
Julien Brocard's domaine is located in Préhy, just a few kilometres from the town of Chablis in northern Burgundy. The aim of the domaine is to bring out the true character of the wines without any distortion, and for this purpose the vines have been cultivated biodynamically since 2011.