New VDP members in the Pfalz region
16-04-2021"Our regional association always keeps an eye on developments in the Pfalz wine scene. After both wineries clearly made an impression in blind tastings as well as in observations of the wineries, it was a matter of logic for us to admit both wineries to the VDP," Hansjörg Rebholz, chairman of the VDP.Pfalz, is more than happy about the new members. "Both wineries belong to the very best of the Pfalz in their very own way: Jülg for expressive Pinots and terroir-influenced, fine sparkling wines - Odinstal for the lived enthusiasm of biodynamics and Riesling", Hansjörg Rebholz summarises. The regional association of the Pfalz thus grows to 27 members, the federal association of the VDP to a total of 198 member wineries.
VDP.Estate Jülg
The winery of Werner and Johannes Jülg is located in Schweigen-Rechtenbach in Southern Pfalz near the German-French border and was founded in 1961. The two winemakers are already the third generation to cultivate around 25 hectares of vineyards, half of which are in France and the other half in Germany. On limestone, limestone marl and colored sandstone soils, the best of two cultures is combined. When it comes to grape varieties, the focus - typical for the Pfalz region and the VDP's range of grape varieties - is on growing Burgundy varieties and Riesling, supplemented by Sauvignon blanc and Muskateller. Jülg's wines stand for elegance, precision and uncompromising quality.
While Werner Jülg is responsible for the sparkling wine production - another passion of the winery - with a lot of patience and dedication, Johannes gives the wines a characterful style after his many years of training at renowned wineries in Germany and France. Harvesting by hand is standard, and the grapes are processed gently. During maturation, the wines are given time in a mix of stainless steel as well as large and small wooden barrels.
VDP.Estate Odinstal
In the immediate vicinity of the old basalt quarry at Pechsteinkopf, high above Wachenheim in the Pfalz, lies the Odinstal wine estate of the Hensel family. A total of five hectares of vineyards are cultivated by estate manager Andreas Schumann and his team in the Odinstal monopoly site.
The unique geological situation in Odinstal opens up the diversity of four different geological formations: volcanic basalt, shell limestone, Keuper and colored sandstone. To bring out the special features of these soils, but also of the location itself and the climate, the vineyards are cultivated biodynamically without exception.
At the same time, interventions during vinification are kept to a minimum in order to maximise the typicality of the vintage and origin. The winery focuses exclusively on white grape varieties: Riesling, Silvaner, white Pinot varieties such as Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois, but also Gewürztraminer make up the winery's collection.