Weingut Hammel - Kircheim - Palatinate
Christoph Hammel is undeniably one of the most significant winemakers on the German scene. A charismatic basement cabaret performer who upholds old traditions in a classy way and is passionate about his work to that extent. Outgoing, enthusiastic and never shy about collaborating with other winemakers or connoisseurs, as long as the project has substance.
Christoph and his brother Martin are the 8th generation at the winery and the 9th is being driven into position. Since 1723, the winery has been producing excellent wines - red as well as white.
Daring to resume serious production of the Liebfraumilch, maligned throughout the ages, takes its man! Weingut Hammel dared to do it and we venture the claim that the result is outstanding!
Originally, the grapes for "our dear lady's" wines were only grown on a small area by the church in the city of Worms. Later it was changed to a larger area where the church's towers shadow".
In the good old days, Liebfraumilch was one of the world's most expensive and sought-after wines. It was, among other things, a. served at Queen Victoria's court. Unfortunately, there was inflation in production and especially after the Second World War. The demand simply became so great that they relaxed the restrictions and let "god and every man" produce everything they could.
The quality plummeted, leaving the once-honoured wine with a particularly tarnished reputation.
Weingut Hammel has taken up the fight and today produces 2 varieties that taste fantastic!! He cherishes the old traditions and has gone back to the original recipe. Which gave the perfect result.
Hammel's vineyards are located in various locations around the small wine town of Kirchheim, north of Bad Dürkheim and directly on the Pfalzer wine route (Deutsche weinstrasse)
Approx. 60% of the vineyards consist of vines with white grape varieties, the rest with blue grape varieties. Riesling dominates, followed by the Burgundy varieties: Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc, Rivaner and Sauvignon Blanc and, for a few years, Grüner Veltliner.
For red wine, this applies to the family's particular love of Pinot Noir and cuvées, which are stored in old wooden barrels. Dornfelder is also to be found in the range and with "a shot of dish" the result is fantastic here too.