Weingut Fritz Ekkehard Huff, Riesling Pettenthal 2021

The New Zealander and the winemaker from the Roter Hang. Christine, her Kiwi husband Jeremy, and her father Fritz Ekkehardt farm this 10-hectare estate in the iconic villages of Nierstein and Schwabsburg. They own some truly special plots within excellent vineyard terroirs like Pettenthal and Orbel. This is a real family affair and always has been, with everyone getting involved. Making great wines always requires a great team effort.

Though the family has been making wine here since 1700, the estate has always had its loyal followers who recognize the quality. However, it is only in recent years that more of the outside world is starting to take notice. Though she is too modest to admit it, much of this is due to Christine's involvement in the winery and her meticulous commitment to quality above all else.

After Christine graduated from the iconic German wine school Geisenheim with a degree in oenology, she gained work experience in some remarkable wineries like Keller in Flörsheim-Dalsheim, Aldinger in Fellbach, and Lejeune in Pommard, Burgundy. She is truly part of that young German winemaker generation that is putting dry Rieslings, particularly those from Rheinhessen, firmly on the map. Upon joining the family winery, she further reduced yields, introduced spontaneous fermentation, and placed greater emphasis on vineyard work. The land is farmed to organic and biodynamic standards. Anne Krebiehl MW, in her book The Wines of Germany, calls these wines "a purist pleasure."

Christine and Jeremy were brought together by their mutual love for wine, particularly Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. In fact, the Huffs are one of only a few quality estates in Germany that farm small parcels of Sauvignon Blanc, a grape varietal that, especially in Rheinhessen, seems to find its own soul and unique character.