Location and History
The Schloss Lieser winery is located in Lieser in the Mosel wine-growing region in Germany. Thomas and Ute Haag acquired the winery in the 1990s. Thomas Haag took over the running of the estate in 1992 and bought the business in 1997. Since 1999, the winery has been a member of the VDP.
Vineyards and Grape Varieties
The estate cultivates 29 hectares of vineyard area, planted exclusively with Riesling. The vineyards are situated on steep Mosel slopes with gradients of up to 80 percent. Sites oriented to the south and south-west are documented; the Juffer Sonnenuhr parcel has an orientation from south-southeast to south-southwest and altitudes of 110 to 185 metres.
Soils and Vineyard Work
The vineyards grow on weathered slate soils, including stony, soft Devon slate. In the Juffer Sonnenuhr, grey and blue Devon slate is documented. The winery describes a natural reduction in yield, vines of up to 100 years old, and selective hand-harvesting in several passes. The 2020 vintage of the Juffer Sonnenuhr Grosses Gewächs was picked by hand in early October.
Vinification and Wine Style
Classified as a VDP.WEINGUT, the winery produces Rieslings in dry and off-dry styles, including VDP.GUTSWEIN and VDP.GROSSE LAGE. The wines are described as terroir-driven, with low alcohol, mineral complexity, elegance, and a balance of sweetness and acidity. The Rieslings ferment spontaneously with natural yeasts at low temperatures in the 100-year-old barrel vault cellar. The 2020 Juffer Sonnenuhr Grosses Gewächs was spontaneously fermented in stainless-steel tanks.
