The Ortenau is a distinct sub-region centered around the ancient mid-sized town of Offenburg. The predominant soil-types here are granitic, with high sandstone outcroppings and loess. This estate has a fascinating history dating back to 1300. It is one of a handful of great German estates, such as the Juliusspital in Franken and the Vereinigte Hospitien in the Mosel, that are publicly owned – in this case by the municipality of Offenburg. Run with fastidious care by the young and dynamic Matthias Wolf, the vineyards are cultivated sustainably (think feromonal inteference instead of insecticides, organic fertilisation and composting). They were innovative in German terms by eliminating cork in 2004, and they offer employment to handicapped people in their vineyards. We have increased our range without exhausting anything like the possibilities here! With the 2016 vintage, they also have snazzy new packaging that highlights the soil types.