Location and landscape
The Odinstal winery is located above Wachenheim in the wine-growing region Pfalz in Germany. The estate and vineyards are situated at around 350 metres above the old basalt quarry near the Pechsteinkopf. Sparse meadows, mixed woodland and the Odinstal monopole site surround the property.
Soils and grape varieties
In the vineyard area, geological formations including basalt, shell limestone, Keuper and Buntsandstein are documented. Silvaner grows on Keuper rich in lime and containing clay. The winery focuses exclusively on white grape varieties: Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, Silvaner, Rieslaner and Gewürztraminer.
Viticulture
The vineyards are farmed exclusively using biodynamic methods. The winery is Demeter-certified and holds an EU organic certification. Viticulture also includes a gentle vine-pruning method according to Simonit and Sirch. The plot designated as Riesling 190 N.N. is worked entirely by hand; here plant teas, compost extract, whey and rock flour are used, while sulphur and copper are omitted from plant protection.
Maturation and classification
The wines are intended to express site, soil and vintage with as little external influence as possible. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation takes place spontaneously and without temperature control. The wines then mature for a long time on full lees, are usually filtered only minimally or once, and are given a small sulphur addition before bottling. Thomas Hensel acquired the estate at the end of the 1990s; he is the owner, with Andreas Schumann as managing director and cellar master. Since 2021, the winery has belonged to the VDP. The Odinstal monopole site is classified as VDP.GROSSE LAGE; the classified area comprises 4.75 hectares planted with Riesling and Pinot Blanc.
