Weingut Karl Schaefer

The winery Karl Schaefer is located at Weinstraße Süd 30 in Bad Dürkheim in the wine-growing region Pfalz in Germany. The vineyard areas comprise around 17.6 hectares, 85 percent of which are on terraces between the Haardt and the Rhine valley. The vineyards feature different microclimates and, according to the winery, have not been parcelled and consolidated. Documented soils include Buntsandstein, Muschelkalk, basalt, loess loam and Terra Rossa.

The winery works certified organic and pursues the goal of preserving the location-typical vineyard and ecosystem. This includes maintaining old dry stone walls and terraces, species-rich sown greenery, border plantings, as well as natural vegetation as habitat and for soil protection. Machine use is limited; a high proportion of the work is carried out by hand. Ripened and healthy grapes are selectively hand-harvested.

Around 85 percent of the plantings are dedicated to Riesling. Further documented grape varieties include Weißburgunder, Grauburgunder and Spätburgunder, with Riesling and Spätburgunder named as the preferred varieties. The winery produces dry and delicately off-dry Rieslings as well as sparkling wine, including VDP.SEKT and VDP.SEKT.PRESTIGE. The targeted style is craft-driven, terroir-focused and vintage-typical.

Founded in 1843, the winery is run in the sixth family generation by Dr. Job and Nana von Nell. In 1908 it was a founding member of the Association of Natural Wine Auctioneers, from which the Association of German Prädikat Wine Estates emerged. As a VDP member, the winery cultivates classified VDP.ERSTE-LAGE and VDP.GROSSE LAGE vineyards and markets wines in the categories VDP.GUTSWEIN to VDP.GROSSE LAGE. The wines mature for a long time on full lees and are aged without cooling at the ambient temperature of the historic vaulted cellars. The renovated cellars date from the 17th century; early use of modern cellar technology and large-format wooden casks are also documented.