Winemakers: Niklas Peltzer & Michael Wagner von Wohlgemuthheim
Where: Merl, Mosel, Germany Size: Small batch parcels and barrels
Viticulture: Organic Certified Main Varieties: Riesling, Müller-Thurgau & Elbling
Quick note: Organic old Mosel vineyards, affordable and elegant
Collaborations between friends is always a really fun way to run business, and doing so over a remarkable, but recently troubled, region like the Mosel Valley is even better. For centuries the Mosel has been recognised as slopes that create incredible conditions for top quality wines, of course these steep slate slopes make ‘modern’ or monoculture farming quite difficult. The incredible amount of work that must go into these terraces and vineyards mean that in the ensuing years, many farmers have struggled to get a fair price for their grapes, and as a result many have abandoned their vineyards and struggled to pass them down in inheritance to the new generation.
Here comes Nik & Mik, both originally hailing from the region, and both with a determination to showcase the fruit and wine possible to work with. Michael Wagner von Wohlgemuthheim is an 8th generation winemaker, growing up on their farm in Merl that was founded in the early 1700s, and an accomplished winemaker with his own wines.
Niklas Peltzer actually grew up in the region, but relocated to Austria where he worked for many years building the profile of renowned biodynamic winery Meinklang, Nik is a very passionate supporter of great wines from great agriculture at a democratic and affordable price. So together Nik & Mik create wines from organic grapes, working in heritage vineyard sites, making extremely drinkable wines! Everything is hand harvested, fermented with native yeasts, vinified in stainless tanks, up to 25mg/l so₂ added before bottling. Additionally you can probably notice the beautiful jewel green bottle of the classic Litre Flasche and the classic label design, a little throwback to the great quality table wines of the past.
Maddy worked in the Mosel (a few years back!) for a pruning and harvest season on the terraces high above the river snaking below, and truly felt the magic of the slate and dramatic landscape. So we have really enjoyed and supported this collaboration of friends, and love to see a region such as the Mosel be supported and revived!
