HISTORY
Located in the historic center of Wiltingen in the Saar Valley, the Van Volxem winery dates back to Roman times. The wine estate is on the site of a Roman villa, whose fragments are still visible today. The estate’s vineyards—which were first planted in the 3rd century in the area’s best slate slopes—are among the oldest in the region. Monks rediscovered the estate in the 11th century, and the Jesuits cultivated the vineyards starting in the 16th century. In 1743, an abbey winery was built here. In wake of the French Revolution, the property was secularized and finally ended up under the ownership of Gustav van Volxem, a wine brewer who had emigrated from Brussels. A true visionary, van Volxem recognized the potential of the premium vineyard location, and in subsequent years, he developed one of the most prestigious wine estates in imperial Germany. When Mosel wine gained popularity as a coveted luxury item worldwide, the van Volxem estate saw the start of its heyday. Its wine varieties are featured on numerous wine lists internationally. After four generations in the van Volxem family, Roman Niewodniczanski took over the estate and subsequently restored it to its original state in accordance with preservation standards. He also expanded the vineyard holdings with new premium sites. In 2004, the estate director Dominik Völk joined the team, which is one that is committed to making Van Volxem a leading international estate for white wine.
WINE STYLE
Following the long tradition at Van Volxem, our wines are mostly fermented dry or off-dry. These are wines to be consumed with food. They are moderate in alcohol, ripe in acidity, and complex in structure. Their special character comes from the stony, mineral-rich slate soils of our charming steep hillsides—relics of over 400-million-year-old marine deposits. It is the pursuit of harmony and balance in the glass that connotes the Van Volxem style. These stimulating wines have a distinct sense of place, along with great aging potential—Rieslings in the style of the famous Saar wines from around 1900. These are wines that are challenging in every respect: from the hard work done by many helping hands on the steep slate slopes, to the cellar master’s careful handling of the wine barrels, to the connoisseur’s enjoyment of these complex and ever-changing Saar wines. The challenges continue: low yields per vine, strict selection, harvest not before mid-October (if possible), physiological ripeness, spontaneous fermentation. Of course, this also holds true for our entry-level estate wines.Buy Van Volxem online from VINO&VINO wine and spirits shop and enjoy free delivery in Yerevan.
