Winery and origin
The Knipser winery is located in Laumersheim in the Pfalz in Germany. Its tradition dates back to 1876. Since 1993, the winery has been a member of the Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter (VDP).
Vineyard areas and grape varieties
The winery has 99.70 hectares of vineyard area and produces around 400,000 bottles per year. The documented grape varieties include Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Spätburgunder, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc. The average annual rainfall is less than 500 millimetres. The vineyards are characterised by limestone and calcareous marl, which are partly overlaid by loess and clay.
Vineyard sites in Laumersheim
The Kirschgarten classified as VDP.GROSSE LAGE is south-east-facing, lies at an altitude of 115 to 150 metres, and has a slope inclination of 5 to 15 per cent. Loess-clay lies there over limestone rock and calcareous marl; in the deeper subsoil there is tertiary limestone. The Orlenberg protects the site from cold westerly winds. The Laumersheimer Kapellenberg is classified as VDP.ERSTE LAGE, faces south, lies at an altitude of 120 to 130 metres, and has quartz sand and gravel soils.
Wine style and vinification
The range extends from light, fresh and sparkling wines to complex, concentrated wines that require bottle ageing. The winery reduces yields and extends ripening times; some wines are only released after several years of bottle ageing. For the cuvée X of the 2020 vintage, selective hand harvest, destemming, a multi-week maceration time, malolactic fermentation and 24 months’ ageing in new French barriques are stated. Yield reduction was achieved by short pruning of the vines and green harvesting in summer. The winery is also documented as a producer of VDP.SEKT.
