Location and History
The Christmann winery is located in Gimmeldingen in the Pfalz. The vineyards are situated around Gimmeldingen, Königsbach, Neustadt and Ruppertsberg. Since 1845, Riesling and Pinot Noir wines have been produced at the Gimmeldingen estate. Steffen Christmann took over the family winery in 1996; since 2017, he has been running it together with Sophie Christmann.
Vineyard Cultivation and Vineyards
The winery farms its vineyards organically and biodynamically. This includes work according to moon phases, biodynamic preparations, its own compost as well as cover crops, hedges and trees to promote soil fertility and biodiversity. Listed are an EU organic certification as well as respect-BIODYN and La Renaissance of the appellation.
The sites include slopes with five to 50 percent gradient and southern, south-eastern or east-south-eastern exposure. Documented soils include Buntsandstein, terrace gravel, calcareous marl and limestone. Individual vineyards also feature Terra Fusca, limestone reef, sandstone rubble, loess, shell limestone and basalt inclusions.
Grape Varieties and Classification
The most important grape varieties are Riesling and Pinot Noir, or Spätburgunder. In addition, Weissburgunder, Grauburgunder and Muskateller are grown. The Königsbacher Idig is planted with Riesling and Pinot Noir, while the Gimmeldinger Meerspinne and the Königsbacher Ölberg-Hart are Riesling sites.
The current portfolio focuses on the VDP.ERSTE LAGE and VDP.GROSSE LAGE classifications. The grapes are harvested in several passes; for wines from classified sites, hand harvesting is documented.
Maturing and Wine Style
The winery produces dry Riesling and Pinot wines intended to express their origin from the vineyards. The Riesling style is described as powerful and at the same time lively; the Pinot style as elegant and shaped by fine acidity. Gentle hand harvesting, slow pressing, spontaneous fermentation and ageing in wooden barrels are among the documented cellar practices.
The wines “Aus den Lagen” come from classified vineyards, are harvested by hand, spontaneously fermented and blended from selected barrels. The Riesling “Aus den Lagen” ferments partly spontaneously in large wooden barrels. For the Gimmeldingen Schild Pinot Noir of the 2023 vintage, a must fermentation with 20 percent whole berries and 17 months of Barrique ageing were carried out.
