Dr. Bürklin-Wolf

Dr. Bürklin-Wolf is a combination of rich history and forward-thinking. The estate's commitment to quality, sustainability, and the true expression of Riesling has made it a benchmark not just in Germany but around the world. Its proves that tradition and innovation can go hand in hand and that the great wine of today is always rooted in respect for the land and the people who farm it.

History

Founded in 1597, Dr. Bürklin-Wolf today is one of Germany's oldest and most esteemed wine estates. The story of the estate begins in Wachenheim with Bernhard Bürklin, the town clerk who became its mayor, and with Luise Wolf, who married Bernhard's descendant Dr. Albert Bürklin; together they merged the vineyards of their two important Riesling families. Their union in 1875 linked treasured hillside vineyards in Wachenheim, Deidesheim, Forst, and Ruppertsberg, some of the finest in the whole world.

In 1990, a completely new chapter began when Bettina Bürklin-von Guradze succeeded her father. She infused the estate with fresh ideas and a relentless focus on quality and moved the estate toward organic and biodynamic farming. Dr. Bürklin-Wolf holds the distinction of being the first German winery to be certified by the prestigious establishment Biodyvin, as a biodynamic winery, in 2005. Today, the estate, still family-run, stands at the vanguard of both tradition and innovation.

The Vineyards

Dr. Bürklin-Wolf is the owner of approximately 110 hectares of vineyards, making it the largest family-owned winery in Germany. The vineyards are spread out over some of the most renowned locations in the Pfalz, particularly in Wachenheim, Forst, Deidesheim, and Ruppertsberg. These locations are known for their "Grand Cru" (GG) sites, which are vineyard plots that are rated among the best in the world and that yield some of the finest Rieslings that can be found anywhere.

One standout is the Gaisböhl vineyard in Ruppertsberg, which belongs entirely to Dr. Bürklin-Wolf. The estate also cultivates other legendary sites like Kirchenstück, Pechstein, and Kalkofen. Many of the vines are old, but everything is done by hand in the service of grape quality and land health.

The Terroir

Dr. Bürklin-Wolf is located in the Pfalz region, which is often referred to as the "Tuscany of Germany" because of its mild climate and its beautiful rolling hills. The vineyards sit along the Mittelhaardt, a narrow, sheltered strip that is perfect for grapes. The soils are a mix of sandstone, limestone, basalt, and clay. Each of these components contributes something distinctive to the wine.

A big reason Dr. Bürklin-Wolf’s wines are so complex is the variety of soils. The estate is all about letting each vineyard’s unique character shine through, which is why they bottle many wines from single sites. The climate is sunny and dry, helping the grapes ripen fully while keeping their freshness.

The Grapes Used

At Dr. Bürklin-Wolf, Riesling reigns supreme. This grape, which is capable of expressing the intricate variations of soil and climate that different places have, makes up nearly the totality of the estate's vineyards. What you get from this winemaker ranges from dry, mineral-driven Rieslings to richer, more textured wines, and the determining factors appear to be the identity of the vineyard and the vintage.

A small number of other grape varieties, such as Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir, are cultivated, but the estate’s clear focus is on Riesling. Their dedication to this grape has helped propagate Pfalz Riesling all over the world.

Way of Winemaking

The winemaking process at Dr. Bürklin-Wolf respects both the grapes and the land. The estate has achieved full organic status, beginning in the 1990s, and is now fully biodynamic, having made the transition in 2005. Unlike many estates, Dr. Bürklin-Wolf hews closely to defined organic and biodynamic principles; these mean that no synthetic chemicals are used anywhere on the estate and that the team of vineyard and cellar workers follows rather ancient rhythms— lunar cycles being the most famous—to guide their work.

Grapes are hand-picked and meticulously sorted. They ferment mainly with wild yeasts, and the wines spend their aging time in various vessels; the choice of which is often determined by the style of wine being made. If you make a regal statement with wooden casks, you might also use the many stainless steel tanks in your cellar to show off the more youthful, vibrant, and fresh character of another wine. Dr. Bürklin-Wolf has instituted its own quality hierarchy for the wines it makes, ranking them from estate level up to something like Grand Cru.

3 Fun Facts

- Pioneer of Biodynamic Winemaking: Bürklin-Wolf was the first German winery to become a member of Biodyvin, the leading international association of biodynamic wineries, where it stands alongside the best estates in France and beyond.

- Rieslings That Win Awards: The estate's Rieslings are so highly regarded that they've received the maximum score of 100 points from renowned critics like Robert Parker and James Suckling. For German wines, this is an exceptionally rare achievement.

- Gaisböhl vineyard, Ruppertsberg: a true “monopole.” With all of Gaisböhl vineyard under its control, the Bürklin-Wolf estate is able to make some of the most sought-after wines in Germany. Those wines often deliver the kind of perfume and purity that make Riesling one of the most thrilling white wines in the world.