300 years of Riesling: tradition and innovation
Dr. Martin Tesch is one of Germany's most renowned winemakers. Since 1997, he has been running the family wine estate and manages some of the Nahe's best vineyards. In the Tesch range, you will find both Single Vineyard Riesling interpretations in the more classic style, as well as some original concept wines. Deep Blue is a 'blanc de noir' of pinot noir. Riesling unplugged is Dr. Martin's answer to overly technical wines: no sweetening or souring here, nor excessive use of technological aids. Craftsmanship, respect for nature, respect for the grape material form the basis for some of Germany's most interesting wines. You can find Tesch wines in the cellars of the best restaurants worldwide. Soon at your place too?
The vineyards of Tesch
Löhrer Berg
The Lörherberg in Langenlonsheim is one of the oldest Riesling vineyards in the Nahe. As early as 1688, Elector Philip William of the Palatinate ordered the planting of Riesling to the exclusion of all other grape varieties. Numerous natural springs improve and nourish the loamy, gravelly soil and thus contribute to the fertility of the soil. This vineyard produces juicy, mainly apple-driven Rieslings that develop subtle earthy notes as they age.
Königsschild
South of the Löhrerberg we find a calcareous rock with loess and clay. The roots of the Riesling vines here go up to 15 meters deep into the ground in search of water. This vineyard produces rather elegant, reserved Rieslings, especially when they are young. They are rather, soft, elegant and refined. The aromas tend towards a more floral profile.
Krone
Right next to the Löhrerberg we find the Krone vineyard in the town of Laubenheim. The geographical location is however all that these vineyards have in common. The slope of Krone is characterized by a mix of light and coarser soils of decalcified loess and weathered sandstone. These give the Rieslings that come from here a very complex character. Large temperature differences due to the exposure to the westerly winds give the wines a somewhat sharper and stricter character that is mainly characterized by citrus.
Karthäuser
This vineyard is located above Laubenheim and faces southwest. It also forms an almost perfect natural amphitheatre. The weathered sandstone soil efficiently collects and stores the heat so that the grapes are always the first to ripen. The Rieslings here reflect the character of the vineyard: ripe, powerful, spicy. The name of this vineyard comes from the Carthusian monks who had a monastery here in the Middle Ages.
St Remigiusberg
Directly adjacent to the Karthäuser lies one of the smallest individual vineyards in the Nahe, ST. REMIGIUSBERG. Weathered volcanic rock and iron-rich clay are the defining characteristics of the soil here. With low yields and high extracts, these wines are not for the faint of heart.
Lush fruit in their youth often develops significant mandarin notes as they age. A deep structure gives these Rieslings an unmistakable silkiness without ever compromising their tension. Historically, St. Remigiusberg was associated with the Benedictine monks of Laubenheim and their Prince-Abbot of Reims, who was canonized after his death.
Sustainable wine growing
Tesch also works sustainably. Tesch is even one of the few wine estates where they do not only look at responsible cultivation in the vineyard. They have examined the entire process, from growing the grapes to the final packaging of the wines.
In the vineyards, no dangerous pesticides are used. That is the start. In the cellar, spontaneous fermentations are used; without additives. Finally, the packaging was also considered. The bottles used are all made of lightweight glass. This ensures a lower ecological footprint, partly due to lower weight during transport. The bottles are packed in boxes made of recycled cardboard.