Wiltinger Braunfels Riesling
⏳ Drinking Window
2021 - 2028
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
pan-seared trout, roasted pork belly, spicy Thai curry
✨ Technical Specifications
The Wiltinger Braunfels Riesling is a magnificent expression of the Saar's unique terroir, sourced from the historic 'Braunfels' (brown rock) vineyard in Wiltingen. This steep, south-to-southwest-facing slope is named for its distinctive iron-rich, reddish Devonian slate soils, which impart a signature smoky minerality and deep complexity to the wine. Under the visionary guidance of Roman Niewodniczanski, Van Volxem crafts this Riesling using traditional, low-intervention methods. The grapes are harvested by hand at optimal ripeness, followed by spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts in large, neutral oak fuder casks. This patient, artisanal process coaxes out a beautifully textured, dry-tasting Riesling that harmonizes ripe stone fruit and wild herbal notes with the Saar's legendary, vibrant acidity and a long, saline finish.
🍾 About the Producer
Perched dramatically above the Saar River in Wiltingen, Weingut Van Volxem is one of Germany's most heralded historic wine estates. Originating as a Roman villa complex with viticulture traced back to the 3rd century, the property operated as a Jesuit monastery winery established in 1743 before being acquired post-secularization by Brussels brewer Gustav van Volxem. In late 1999, Roman Niewodniczanski acquired the estate and orchestrated an ambitious renaissance, revitalizing storied steep-slope vineyards and inaugurating a state-of-the-art gravity-fed winery atop the Wiltinger Schlossberg. Managing approximately 85 hectares on Devonian slate across top-tier VDP.Grosse Lage sites—such as Scharzhofberger, Wiltinger Gottesfuß, Volz, and Ockfener Bockstein—the estate works predominantly with old, ungrafted Riesling vines. Practicing sustainable, non-interventional viticulture, cellar master Dominik Völk champions spontaneous wild-yeast fermentations and extended aging in neutral oak and stainless steel. Van Volxem produces intensely mineral, low-alcohol, dry-leaning Rieslings and refined sparkling Sekts that revive the aristocratic, turn-of-the-century prestige of traditional Saar wines.
🍇 Grapes
Riesling
🍷 ABV
11.5-12.5%