Discover Germany | Wine and Dine | Design Guide 2016
Where quality meets passion As the oldest, privately owned wine estate in Saxony, the winery Weingut Schloss Proschwitz produces high-quality, award-winning white and red wines on approximately 90 hectares of vineyards. Saxony is one of Germany’s smallest wine-growing regions with the lowest average harvest yield per hectare. Hence the estate’s wines are exceptionally unique and rare. The winery has been an accredited member of the Association of German Prädikat Wine Estates (VDP) since 1996. TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF I PHOTOS: WEINGUT SCHLOSS PROSCHWITZ
Weingut Schloss Proschwitz is owned by Dr. Georg Prinz zur Lippe, whose ancestors were one of Germany’s ruling dynasties until 1918. In 1945, his family was expropriated without compensation and deported to West Germany. But Dr. Georg Prinz zur Lippe was able to gradually repurchase the family’s castle Schloss Proschwitz and the surrounding vineyards after the reunification of Germany. Today, the family’s vines are flourishing on an up to six-metre-thick loess-loam layer on top of granite rocks. The grapes are influenced by Saxony’s continental climate and its long sunshine hours creating the perfect conditions for Pinot grape varieties. Weingut Schloss Proschwitz emphasises on the authenticity of their wines. Thus, the most important part of their wine production starts in the vineyards: managing the vine, carefully cultivating the soil, selective defoliation and reduction of grape yield. “Solely healthy premium grapes produce high-quality wines,” says Jacques du Preez, chief winemaker of ‘Weingut Schloss Proschwitz’. Dr. Georg Prinz zur Lippe adds
that the “wines are the result of the unique interaction between vineyard, climate and the people working at our winery. We endeavour to keep the vineyards as natural as possible creating a balance that ensures a sustainable continuation of the winery”.
events. “The winery itself is located in Zadel, five kilometres from the castle, inviting for a hike through the vineyards,” says Claudia Haase, international sales manager. “When you arrive in Zadel you can taste and purchase our wines at the winery’s shop, dine at our restaurant, visit our wine cellar and of course stay overnight at the winery’s small B&B.” www.schloss-proschwitz.de
Weingut Schloss Proschwitz focuses on white wines. They clearly reflect the terroir of the vineyards: perfectly balanced with intense fruitiness and a long finish combined with a typical minerality. The portfolio of grape variety comprises regionally varieties such as Elbling, Goldriesling and Traminer to their well-known Pinots (Grauburgunder, Weissburgunder and Spätburgunder) that mature to an unparalleled extravagance. Besides offering exceptional wines, ‘Weingut Schloss Proschwitz’ also produces high-quality fruit brandies and liqueurs at their distillery near Meissen. The beautiful castle ‘Schloss Proschwitz’ is open for visitors on special occasions such as the annual Christmas market, but can also be booked for weddings or corporate
Main Photo: Jacques du Preez (chief winemaker), Walter Beck (vineyard manager), Dr. Georg Prinz zur Lippe and Alexandra Prinzessin zur Lippe (from left to right). Top: Selection of wines from Weingut Schloss Proschwitz. Above: The castle Schloss Proschwitz.
Issue 38 | May 2016 | 43