Schloss Vollrads, `Volratz 1573` Rheingau Riesling Trocken 2017 Vollrads, Rheingau, Germany PRODUCER Schloss Vollrads, with nearly 800 years of viticulture experience, is one of the oldest wine estates in the world. The vineyards are located in the heart of the Rheingau, where the quality of Riesling is unsurpassed by any other region in the world. In 1728, the world's first Kabinett was produced at Schloss Vollrads and, 300 years on, the estate is still going from strength to strength under the watchful eye of Rowald Hepp and his winemaker Ralph Herke. The estate now has 81 hectares of Riesling vineyards. VINEYARDS All Schloss Vollrads' vineyards are planted with Riesling and are situated between the Rhine and the forest clad hills that protect the vines from the cool north winds. Strict pruning ensures that yields are 40% lower than the legal requirement, while further reductions are made by crop thinning. The soil is a mixture of Taunus quartzite, argillaceous shale and calcareous loess soil. The vineyard slopes are all south facing, allowing them to capture the best sunshine. Forests on Taunus mountain range offer protection from the northern winds and create the ideal conditions for these vines. VINTAGE 2017 began on a cold note but warm conditions in February resulted in early budburst during April. The vines were then hit by late April frosts which slowed vine development until mid-May after which a period of warm weather allowed pruning, leaf removal and defoliation of the grape zone to occur. At the beginning of August the Central Rheingau was hit by a storm bringing torrential rain and hail which damaged grapes in sections of the vineyard at a time when they were not yet ripe. The impact of the inclement weather this year has led to a higher incidence of frost and hail induced rot and resulted in a 25% decline in volumes. Harvest commenced on 25th September and additional Grape Varieties 100% Riesling effort in the vineyard and winery including the manual re-sorting of Winemaker Dr. Rowald Hepp berries ensured that only healthy and fully aromatic grapes were selected. Closure Screwcap ABV 12% VINIFICATION Residual Sugar 7.8g/L Fermentation was long and gentle, at low temperatures of 16-18° C in stainless steel tanks with selected yeast strains for a period of Wine pH 8.1 two weeks. The Volratz Riesling is named after the ancient name Bottle Sizes 75cl for the Schloss Vollrads estate and is always the first wine to be Notes Sustainable, Vegetarian, Vegan bottled and released each year. TASTING NOTES The “Volratz 1573” is a refreshing, dry Rheingau Riesling with a crisp mineral character with perfumes of apricots and peaches on the nose. It is a delicate straw-yellow in colour with a youthful appearance. Well-balanced, crisp and mineral with good levels of refreshing acidity. A clear exotic fruit flavour with elegance and a medium to long finish..