2_1_DiscoverGermany_May 2015_Issue26:Scan Magazine 1
27/4/15
15:00
Page 44
Discover Germany | Big Wine Special | Germany
New, innovative and successful Christine Pröstler is one of the latest additions to the German wine-producing society. Based in the beautiful Franconian countryside near Würzburg, the award-winning vintner has already become a household name amongst industry experts and is definitely a label to bear in mind. TEXT: MERYEM HAUER | PHOTOS: WEINGUT CHRISTINE PRÖSTLER
Born into a wine-growing family, Christine Pröstler studiedViticulture and Oenology in Geisenheim, before gathering further expertise in South Africa and New Zealand. She then worked for some of the country’s most prestigious wineries, such as the Staatlicher Hofkeller Würzburg, before deciding to embark on her own venture. Franconia, one of Germany’s most iconic winegrowing areas, is both her home and her inspiration.Together with partner Alexander Weber, she established the innovative winery in the village of Retzbach. Her parents already owned the vineyards here, but had always opted to sell the grapes to the local cooperative instead of bothering with production. Christine Pröstler took her chance and the premises now feature a proper winery, including a vinotheque, all of which live up to the latest industry standards.
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The vineyard covers an area of six hectares of shell limestone grounds, offering optimal conditions for the production of three different types of wine: the clear and fruitynoted estate wines; the dry and mineralrich Retzbacher wines; and thirdly, the Benediktusberg wines, which are defined by their strength and complexity.
and unsullied harmony with the natural surroundings. My team and I are dedicated to bringing out the best in the grapes and each year we face new challenges.You have to be flexible and every tank of wine needs to be treated independently with great care and attention,”Christine Pröstler explains. “What I stand for and believe in are clear wines and fruity notes; wines that are bottled without any distractions from their contents,”the young vintner concludes. www.cproestlerweine.de
2012 brought the first harvest and the result was considered quite an achievement. For Christine Pröstler and her team, outstanding quality is their top priority, resulting in excellent Gault Millau and Eichelmann wine guide ratings. She has already been awarded the title“Young vintner of the year 2013/2014” by the German Agricultural Society (DLG). “To me, wine is a product of nature and perfectly represents joie de vivre, enjoyment
Portrait: Christine Pröstler