Carl Ehrhard
Carl Ehrhard and his family tend 22 acres of Riesling and Pinot Noir spread throughout six prime vineyards around the town of Rüdesheim in the Rheingau region of Germany. The estate was founded by the Ehrhard family in 1815 and taken over in 1998 by Carl and his wife, Petra. The Ehrhards strive to make wines endowed with personality that express the unique character of their vineyards. The six vineyards – Berg Rottland, Berg Roseneck, Bischofsberg, Kirchenpfad, Klosterberg and Klosterlay are situated on the steep banks of the Rhein River and are maintained without the use of fertilizers or herbicides. In the winery, the Ehrhards embrace traditional methods and preserve fruit purity through minimal intervention. Fermentation takes place naturally without the addition of yeasts. It is a long and slow transformation – up to five months in some cases – and takes place in a mix of large neutral oak casks and stainless steel tanks. These precise, powerful wines are lively and fresh in their youth and develop great depth and character while maintaining clarity as they age.
Philosophy
Weingut Carl Ehrhard is an historic family estate and winery situated on Germany’s Rhein River in the town of Rüdesheim. It was founded in 1815 and Carl took over from his father in 1998. Carl strives to make wines endowed with personality that express the unique character of his vineyards. In Carl’s words, he achieves this by “following the nature” and “returning to the roots.” Specifically, this means all the grapes are grown 100% organically and biodynamically. Fermentation occurs spontaneously from indigenous yeasts, and it is slow. Fermentation and aging only take place in 1200L or 600L neutral oak barrels. The finished wines are not filtered or fined. Some of Carl’s Rieslings are produced using a traditional wooden basket press, skin contact, and natural stabilization (no added sulfur). But these specifics are simply an extension of responding to what nature already provides on its own, and Carl believes that is enough to make outstanding wines. He needs only to listen to nature, and then do the hard work of reflecting it in his wines.
Biography
Weingut Carl Ehrhard is an historic family estate and winery situated on Germany’s Rhein River in the town of Rüdesheim. It was founded in 1815 and Carl took over from his father in 1998. Carl runs the winery along with his wife, Petra, and their three daughters.
Wines from Carl Ehrhard
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