Vineyards
Germany| Portugal| Argentina| Italy| France| Spain| Austria| South Africa| New Zealand
Germany
Hans O. Becker
Weingut Becker produces many of Schlossadler’s best-selling wines, including the popular Dornfelder and Merlot. His pioneering spirit, skill and experience (45 years) make him one of Germany’s most innovative wine maker’s. His effort to produce late harvest reds has been so successful that others try to imitate him. His Merlot is so desirable; there is a constant waiting list anticipating its arrival.
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Weingut Hans Otto Becker has been part of the Schlossadler family since the beginning. Schlossadler founder, Henry Pauk, discovered Hans Otto’s wine-making talent and progressive style in 1981. Hans Otto’s combination of classic techniques and cutting-edge technology make him our number one producer. The family-run operation has employed the same two people to bottle and cork the wines (virtually by hand!) for decades. This close-knit, traditional wine-making style has created some of the most authentic wines coming out of Germany.
Rheinhessen. The Becker vineyards are situated south of Frankfurt and adjacent to the Rhine River. where much of Germany’s acreage of crossed grape varieties are planted. Müller-Thurgau leads the way in acreage. Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir), Dornfelder, and Silvaner are also widely cultivated in Rheinhessen. Today, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay are successfully planted. The soils are full of loess, limestone, and sand.
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Ernst Bretz
The Bretz family has been producing wine since 1721, now in its 9th generation. The wine estate itself dates back to the 17th Century when it belonged to the Welchnonnen Convent of Mainz. An old stone relief was found in the courtyard relating to the Convent. The wine-making tradition is today continued the two sons of Ernst, Horst & Harald Bretz.
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Around 23 hectares of vines are cultivated on the secluded slopes of the Petersberg hill. The climate is favourable and the rich soil structure is suitable for many different varietals, including various new vines such as Ortega, Huxelrebe & Siegerrebe. Traditional methods, coupled with low yields and investing into modern technology have resulted in a high standard of quality for the region. Not being near to the river, the vineyards are ideal for the risky production of ice wines. Apart from Riesling and Silvaner Eiswein, the family has also been very successful with Spätburgunder Weissherbst rosé Eiswein since 1992.
Rheinhessen. The village of Bechtolsheim is situated in the heart of Rheinhessen, at the foot of the Petersberg hill, a landmark offering a superb view across the wine-growing countryside. Much of Germany’s acreage of crossed grape varieties are planted here. Müller-Thurgau leads the way in acreage. Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir), Dornfelder, and Silvaner are also widely cultivated in Rheinhessen. Today, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay are successfully planted. The soils are full of loess, limestone, and sand.
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Dexheimer
Weingut Dexheimer has been well recognized and awarded for their first class reds with countless regional medals throughout the decades. In 1980 the family started producing their own sparkling wines in the traditional “Méthode de Champenoise.” This labor intensive and timely process with the combination of skill set them apart from the rest. His signature Rosé sparkling wine has been so well received that a waiting list for the holidays has been created.
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Walter Dexheimer and his wife own the winery since the early sixties. In 1984, their son Jochen joined the family business. Together they combine traditional style with new wine making technology. The family vineyards are adjacent to Schlossadler’s main supplier, Weingut Becker. Since 2002, Dexheimer’s selection has been recognized by the American consumer and now found a permanent place on Schlossadler’s wine list.
Rheinhessen. The Dexheimer vineyards are located in one of the most favorable wine growing regions in Germany. The town of Biebelnheim is considered a micro-climate area, which accounts for plenty of sunshine and enough rain to produce classic German varietals as well as popular reds. The soil is rich: Loess, limestone and sand provide the perfect balance to cultivate vines of the highest quality.
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Bechtel Frey
Rheinhessen - The largest of 13 German wine regions for quality wines with 65 acres. The region is located south of the Rheingau, north of Pfalz and east of Nahe. The stony soils of loess and loam work in conjunction with the Rhine to provide the vines with warmth in the evenings. With just 500mm of precipitation per year, Rheinhessen is one of the driest wine regions in Germany. The most grown grape varieties are Müller- Thurgau, Riesling and Dornfelder. Furthermore buzzing networks such as “Message in a bottle”, or associations such as “Grosse Gewächs Rheinhessen”, „Selection Rheinhessen” or “Ecovin” are giving the region a real boost.
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The winery of Bechtel- Frey is located at Katharinenhof in Ober-Flörsheim. Years ago the buildings had a cattle husbandry function. Now the Katharinenhof Estate is in the third generation of wine growing. The first priority of the family is to do every production step themselves. That includes winegrowing, harvesting, vinification, bottling and labeling. Until now the winery only offered their products to private customers. The winery Katharinenhof produces high quality wines that are very typically for Rheinhessen.
Due to our 30-year relationship with Hans Otto Becker, who is related to the Frey family, we are now honored to exclusively offer their wines now in the US.
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Thüngersheim
The Thüngersheim cooperative has consistently provided Schlossadler with quality dry to medium dry and earthy wines. The Müller-Thurgau, Scheurebe, Bacchus are some of our best sellers. Franken wines are very hard to come by in the United States. The Thüngersheim cooperative wines are some of the rare Franken wines imported to the United States. Traditionally, Franken wines are bottled in a squat, green flagon with a round body (a Bocksbeutel), which makes it easy to tell when you are drinking an earthy Franken!
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The university city of Würzburg is the major city of Franken and home of the famed vineyard, Stein. This vineyard gave rise to the generic term "Steinwein," formerly used for all Franken wines. Most Franken wines are enjoyed within the region, so it is rare to have an opportunity to drink them in the States!
Franken. Thüngersheim is located in the Franken wine region of Germany. Most Franken vineyards are planted on the hilly slopes of the Main and its tributaries. The climate is continental: warm summers with little rainfall give way to cold winters with lots of rain and early frosts. The soil consists of combinations of weathered, primitive rock, colored sandstone, shell limestone, gypsum, and keuper. These soils give Franken wines their distinctively earthly flavor. The Franken region produces 92% white wine and 8% red wine. Usually dry and earthy, the Franken wines are generally more masculine than other German wines.
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Portugal
Caves Bonifácio
This firm was founded in 1963, began its activity in January 1964, carry on the work of its founder, António Francisco Bonifácio. Since very young, he focused his efforts on growing the vine and on wine production, managing with success for over 40 years his business, but always with one concern: achieve the best quality on the products.
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Main grape varieties include the Portuegese grapes Castelão (also known as Periquita) and Tinta Miúda, as well as excellent Aragonez, Alicante Bouschet, Cabernet Sauvignon and other International varieties.
Winery should receive its Biological certification in 2012. No herbicides, pesticides or chemical fertilizers are used. The vines are grown in shallow and low fertility mostly clay soils in order to diminish the production, thus improving the quality of the grape. Beside the natural growing methods of the vines, the grape fermentation is traditional, without the use of enzymes or agents.
The winery has been awarded more than 15 awards at top wine competitions, including a Gold Medal at the Wine Masters Challenge 2006 and two Silver Medals at Mundusvini 2007. Its fine wines are enjoyed in more than 10 countries in four continents.
Lisboa. Controlled appellation region north of Lisbon, the vineyards enjoy a predominantly sunny climate with low rainfall rarely exceeding the 400-500 ml a year. The vineyards are not watered during the year.
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Caves do Monte
Caves do Monte (Caves means Cellars in Portuguese) is versatile winery located in the northern region of Portugal where Port is produced. Its heritage traces back to the early part of the 19th Century when wine was still transported by oxcarts in the area. Agostinho Ribeiro de Neto, the founder’s son, now owns the winery and is also the winemaker.
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Douro is a Portuguese wine region centered around the Douro river in the Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro region, located some distance upstream from Porto, sheltered by mountain ranges from coastal influence. The region has Portugal's highest wine classification.
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Vidigal Wines
Vidigal Wines is a family-owned winery specializing in competitive Reserves from several Portuguese wine growing areas. Founded in 1960, the winery’s roots date back to the 19th century. It is located among the rolling Atlantic shore hills of Leiria, just north of Lisbon, where the vines are exposed to plenty of sunshine as well as cool ocean breezes, resulting in excellent well-structured, fruit-forward pleasant wines.
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The winery has received 13 awards at prestigious international wine competitions, including a Gold Medal in Polagra Wine Competition 2007, 5 silver medals at MundusVini Germany 2009, a Bronze Medal in the International Wine and Spirit Competition 2008 in England. One of its flagship wines, Vidigal Reserva, has been the Top Sales spot in Norway’s monopoly market for 5 years in row. Vidigal Wines exports nearly all of its wines abroad and its fine wines are enjoyed throughout Scandinavia, Central Europe, the U.S, Africa and South America.
Lisboa. Controlled appellation region north of Lisbon, the vineyards enjoy a predominantly sunny climate with low rainfall rarely exceeding the 400-500 ml a year. The vineyards are not watered during the year.
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Argentina
Finca de la Orden
Finca de la Orden, inherits from the era of Don Nicolino D’Angiola Arcucci, more than 100 years of passion and family tradition in the vine growing in Argentina. The winery history starts in 1890, year in which Don Antonio Arcucci, arrives from Italy and begins to work the land, activity which he developed years back in his native land.
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In 1917, Don Nicolino D´Angiola Arcucci, takes charge of the family business and starts growing strongly the olive and the vine, buying several farms and lands in the provinces of San Juan and Mendoza. Since then, it began a very strong growth of the family business, moment in which the first chapters of this rich history start to take place.
Being supported by the family’s wine-making expertise, Francisco and Marina, grandchildren’s of Don Nicolino, took the initiative in this new family phase, giving birth to this new high quality line of Sparkling Wines "Caballero de la Orden".
All wines are elaborated with grapes carefully selected from own vineyards in Agrelo, Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza. The harvest is done manually in plastic boxes of 20 kg. During the second half of Febraury the harvest for all the grapes involved in the elaboration of the Sparkling Wines is done. Only in the case of the Sweet Sparkling Wine, as it’s a late harvest, its done on the first days of April.
With 2004 and 2005 harvests, Francisco and Marina launched into the market five high quality Sparkling Wines.
Mendoza. Winery is located in Lujan de Cuyo District, on the southeast of Mendoza City, at 3317 feets above sea level.
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Familia Cassone
The Cassone family came to Argentina from Italy in the nineteenth century. The love of good wine runs through the family blood. Roberto Cassone began his wine-making venture in Mendoza in the 1950s. Now, his heirs manage vineyards in the “first vine zone” in Mendoza, nurturing vines over 90 years old.
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The Familia Cassone winery is indeed a family business, an enterprise carried out by Eduardo Cassone, and his sons, Eduardo Jose, Martin, and Federico. These dedicated sons personally work with the wines during fermentation and bottling. The family strives to maintain the values and purity of artisan production while using both American and French oak barrels and the best of modern technology. The result? High quality, modern wines that showcase the particular characteristics of each grape perfectly.
Mendoza. Mendoza, known as the land of good sun and good wine, is Argentina’s most important wine region. Ninety percent of Argentinean wines come from this region. The mineral soil, the temperate climate, and ideal location give Mendoza wines an enviable richness and intensity. Classic French and Italian grape varieties are popular here, originally planted by the European immigrants who helped shape Argentina’s rich culture. The Familia Cassone winery is located in the southeast of Mendoza, framed by the breathtaking Andes.
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Italy
Azienda Agricola Lo Zerbone
Lo Zerbone was re-established in 2003. Restoring and extending the old winery, it was possible to save an antique vineyard of a little more than three hectares. The vineyard is situated in one of the best geographical positions for viticulture in Rocca Grimalda (Piedmont). The Terroir produces the perfect conditions for the two grape varieties Cortese and Dolcetto. Another major contribution is the exposition of the vineyard to the south-east, plus the age of the vines (30 years) which produce the high quality of the wine.
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The winery has only a maximum capacity of 330 hectolitres because of the concentration on the quality of the wine. The area of a little bit more than three hectares makes it possible to ensure that every step from the pruning to bottling is done very carefully. This simple way of production ensures a high quality product produced by a small family run enterprise. The average production is between 15,000 and 20,000 bottles a year.
The Azienda Agricola Lo Zerbone is also in a conversion to the organic method since 2007 (certification by BIOS).Therefore the winery follows the organic the basics of organic agriculture.
The target is taking consideration to the whole ecosystem and creating a dialogue between farmer and cultivations. Obviously the observation of the vineyards becomes very important, because the possibilities of intervention on eventual diseases are limited.
Piedmont. Piedmont with the regional capital of Torino is the largest wine-growing region in Italy, with a total area of more than 25.000 square kilometers. The vineyard area totals 57.487 hectares.
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France
Château L’Avocat
Château L’Avocat was considered one of the best wine-producing properties in the Graves before World War II. Its wines won prestigious awards, including gold medals at the Concours Agricole Paris in 1932 and 1934 and a Diplôme d’honneur Exposition Internationale Anvers 1930. After the war, the property changed hands, and the new owners retired soon after. Sean and Nicola Allison purchased the property in January of 2001 and are excited to use this land of proven quality to the best of its potential.
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Château L’Avocat represents an effortless blending of traditional winemaking methods and modern winemaking technology. The properties consist of Graves Rouge and Graves Blanc. The Graves Rouge contains vines from 6–50 years old, approximately 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc. Graves Blanc is located on the well-known Le plateau des Moulin’s a vent, a plateau of river stones with the reputation of producing the best wines in the Graves. The vines in Graves Blanc are old, 30–40 years old, with about 30% Sauvignon Blanc and 70% Semillon. Only the best grapes from these sites are selected for production. Organic cultivation methods are used in the vineyards wherever possible to create healthy vineyards and wines.
Bordeaux. Château L’Avocat is made up of two properties in the Graves, an area that stretches along the left band of the Garonne River between Bordeaux to the north and Langon to the south. The oldest vineyards in Bordeaux are found in the Graves, a region dotted with the remains of Gallo-Roman vineyards. Graves wines are especially admired for the role the soil plays in their production and flavor. The well-drained gravelly soil (Graves actually means “gravelly”) absorbs the sun’s heat and reflects it back onto the grapes at night, enhancing their ripeness.
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Spain
Diez-Caballero
is a small, family owned winery set on the hills of Elciego, with plots scattered throughout the town. Total production at the winery last year ascended to 140,000 bottles. The winery are producing their ultra-premium red wines from a precise selection of grapes coming from 24.5ha of estate owned vineyards, where the average age of the vines is 45-60 years old.
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For their "Select Vintage" and Gran Reserva wines, the grapes are handpicked to optimize the ripeness levels in Tempranillo. The overriding goal of the Diez-Caballero winery is to create wines which reflect the characteristics of the terroir of the individual vineyards from where they are sourced. Winery using modern, ecologically focused viticulture methods, while still reflecting the family‟s commitment to creating wines in the traditional style of the region.
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Bodegas Prado de Olmedo
Ribera del Duero - a region of vineyards situated around the Duero river, which, as it flows west through Portugal, becomes the Douro, home to the vineyards that give rise to Port. Despite Rioja's reputation, it is in fact the Ribera del Duero that is home to Spain's most expensive wines. This area has a relatively cool average temperature and a marked contrast between the heat of the day and the cool of the night. This is a big advantage during the ripening season, ensuring robust skins for colour, and juice with structure and potential for turning into wine.
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Bodegas Prado de Olmedo is in the village of Quintana del Pidio, right in the heart of the Ribera del Duero. Wines take their name from the Monastery of San Miguel, commemorating the history of the village as well as the fundamental monastic contribution to viticulture: the monks were the first to plant vineyards in these lands of the Ribera del Duero.
The wines are all made from 100% Tinto del País grapes (also known as Tinto Fino and Tempranillo), and all from our own vineyards in Quintana del Pidio. The vineyards are more than 60 years old, giving low-yield but high-quality fruit suitable for making our Reservas, Crianzas, Semicrianzas and Jóvenes (young wines without ageing). Reserva wines spend a minimum of three months in French barricas, taking on the austere, structured, individual aromatics of the oak before spending the rest of their first year in American barricas. This complex fusion of aromas and flavors from oak and fruit then develops over two years in the bottle, resting in the cellars at the perfect temperature and humidity.
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Austria
Elfenhof
Some of the most exciting developments in European wines are taking place in Austria. The wine makers at Elfenhof have pioneered the process of enhancing the style and elegance of the Pinot Noir. Schlossadler customers love this wonderfully complex, peppery red. In this unique process, the newly crushed grapes are heated to 75 degrees Celsius 167º F and transferred to French oak barrels. They are laid to rest and ferment for six months. This process softens the tannins and creates bolder flavor in young wines. This means you can enjoy Elfenhof Pinot Noirs now with an even softer finish!
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The family has owned the estate since 1642. What a history! The winery has been known as Elfenhof since 1971, when a new residential and administrative building was constructed.
Burgenland. Elfenhof is located in the city of Rust. Here storks make picturesque nests in chimneys. Elfenhof’s vineyards spread across gentle southeast-facing slopes on the shores of the lake Neusiedlersee. The proximity of the hills to the lake creates an ideal microclimate. The soils range from medium-heavy, loamy sand to sandy loam on sediment chalk. These soils provide good soil temperature and adequate water retention. The Burgenland wine zone is famous for its regular occurrence of noble rot. We refer to this as the “nectar of the gods!” It produces some of Europe’s richest dessert wines. The Blauer Burgunder (Pinot Noir) is the one of the region’s most widely grown grapes.
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South Africa
Knorhoek
The Van Niekerk brothers are the 5th generation to own and work this beautiful farm. Following in the footsteps of their father, Hannes, who was awarded the prestigious Smuts Trophy for his wines, they continue the long and honourable family tradition of winemaking.
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As early as 1694 farmers recognised the potential of the fertile foothills of the Simonsberg mountain. By 1793 the legendary Martin Melck had acquired most of this land and it was probably he who changed the name from the original Kleygat (Clay-hole) to Knorhoek, called in a contemporary document 'de plaats waar de leeuwen knorren' - the place where lions growl. The Cape Mountain lion became extinct by the late 1700's, caracal are occasionally seen on the farm and leopard sightings still occur in the higher reaches of the surrounding mountains - hence the use of the leopard on the Knorhoek estate wine labels.
Today the Van Niekerk brothers are the 5th generation to own and work this beautiful farm. Following in the footsteps of their father, Hannes, who was awarded the prestigious Smuts Trophy for his wines, they continue the long and honourable family tradition of winemaking.
James, in charge of the vineyards, and Hansie, responsible for winemaking and marketing, together with their wives Carol and Ingrid, form a vibrant young team, passionate about wines and delighted to share their heritage with visitors and guests.
Stellenbosh. Knorhoek lies some 200-380 meters above sea level on the gently sloping foothills of the Simonsberg mountain, and is part of the world-renowned Stellenbosch wine region. With its characteristic russet-red oak leaf soils and favourable aspects (warm north-facing slopes for traditional red cultivars and sea breeze-cooled western slopes for slower-maturing whites) Knorhoek is ideally situated for growing fine wines.
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New Zealand
Kotuku
Marlborough - New Zealand extends 1000 miles from sub- tropical Northland (36° S) to the world’s most southerly grape growing region Central Otago. Marlborough is a unique area. Despite the size of its big international reputation it is quite small in area. Vineyards benefit from the moderating effect of maritime climate with long hours of sunshine and nights cooled by the sea breezes. Such conditions allow for maximum “hang-time” and slow ripening, which helps achieve flavor intensity and elegant structure.
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Kotuku Wines is a family owned estate established in 1990. Located in the heart of Marlborough, the modern, fully equipped winery now produces a range of wines especially suited to Marlborough’s gravelly soil and sunny climate conditions. The original building was constructed in 1990, from rammed earth and rough-sawn timber. Set among mature trees and gardens, the facility includes a cellar door and restaurant. The name Kotuku is translated from Maori and means “White Heron”.
Truly independent and self contained, the winery facilities are complimented by in house harvesting equipment that allows optimum picking times, a bottling hall, warehouse, and a modern laboratory, enabling quality assurance to be carried out on site. Quality and dedication to achieving the best is the key to anything that the winery produces, resulting in excellence right to the finished product.
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