2020 Franz Keller Steinriese Spätburgunder Grosses Gewächs

Franz Keller - expressive, ambitious wines from the Kaiserstuhl

The Franz Keller winery is located near the border with France in the southern German town of Vogtsburg im Kaiserstuhl, part of the state of Baden-Württemberg. Franz Keller winery has several vineyards in the Kaiserstuhl, which is part of the wine region of Baden. The Kaiserstuhl is Germany's warmest and sunniest wine region and is characterized by volcanic soils covered with fertile high loess deposits that provide excellent wine growing conditions for what they call Burgundersorten in Germany such as Weissburgunder, Grauburgunder, Chardonnay and Spätburgunder. The volcanic soils vary widely from vineyard to vineyard. This soil diversity contributes enormously to the exciting taste variation of the wines of this authentic winery.

The natural terraced environment is symbiotic with the winery, allowing gravity to be used during the wine production process. In addition, the unique architecture has been designed in such a way that wine production, cellar, tasting room and the restaurant KellerWirtschaft all fit under one roof. Fun fact about this roof: it is covered with native crops from Badberg, a nearby nature reserve. In this way, the natural conditions are enhanced by the building and its structure. Partly because the building has been dug into the ground, creating the optimal climatic conditions for wine maturation and storage.

Franz Keller - Schwarzer Adler is a gastronomic concept in Baden and actually in the rest of Germany. The company consists of a wine domain, wine import, wine trade, hotel and no less than 3 restaurants. Restaurant Schwarzer Adler has had a Michelin star continuously since 1969, making it the longest owner of all restaurants in Germany. The company is now owned by Fritz Keller, a man with boundless energy and lots of ideas.

His son Friedrich is mainly involved in wine making. The name Franz Keller stands for dry, refreshing, fruity but also complex and mineral-driven powerful wines. The wines are always of excellent, impeccable quality and are highly appreciated in Germany and far beyond, such as up to 94 points Parker and 5 stars Eichelmann. The winery considers it very important that the terroir, the origin and the character of the wine are reflected in the taste. The winemaking approach is inspired by the wines and the "savoir-vivre" of their French neighbors. The aim of this winery has been from the very beginning to make wines that are the perfect accompaniment to good food.

Order Franz Keller wines online at Grand Cru wines

You can of course buy Franz Keller wines online at Grandcruwijnen.nl, the wine trade with one of the largest wine collections in the Netherlands and Belgium, where you can order both special wines and wines for every budget. Quality products, fast delivery & reliable service that is Grand Crus!

Duitsland heeft veel bijzondere wijnbouwgebieden en daarvan is de Kaiserstuhl in Baden de meest bijzondere. Het is een gebiedje dat in veel opzichten volkomen op zichzelf staat.
Geologisch gezien is Kaiserstuhl, zelfs mondiaal beschouwd, uniek. Dat is voor de wijnbouw een belangrijk aspect. De Kaiserstuhl is een compact gebergte, met als hoogste punt de Totenkopf van 557 meter.

De bodem bestaat, vooral in het voor de wijnbouw belangrijke westelijke gedeelte, uit overwegend vulkanisch gesteente met lokaal dikke lagen löss, dat in de laatste ijstijd is komen aanwaaien. Het vulkanisch gesteente is rijk aan mineralen en het löss is rijk aan kalk, twee kenmerken van de bodem, die de wijnen een uniek karakter geven. De grote wijnen komen van de hellingen van vulkanisch gesteente, met slechts een beperkte lösslaag.

Beschermd tegen kou en neerslag
Klimatologisch is het gebied ook bijzonder. Het wordt aan alle kanten beschermd tegen kou en overmatige neerslag, want de Vogezen in het westen en het Zwarte Woud in het oosten omsluiten de Kaiserstuhl bijna helemaal. Slechts aan de zuidwest kant is een opening, de zogenaamde Bourgondische Poort, maar daardoor wordt vooral warme, mediterrane lucht uit het Rhônedal aangevoerd. Deze gegevens maken de Kaiserstuhl tot een van de warmste plekken van Duitsland. Vooral het zuidwestelijke deel, in het bijzonder de op het zuiden en westen gelegen hellingen bij de dorpen Ihringen en Achkarren, zijn voor Duitse begrippen ware bakovens. Daarbij is de gemiddelde neerslag niet heel laag, vergelijkbaar met gebieden als Rheinhessen en de Pfalz. Onder deze omstandigheden zijn er maar weinig druivenrassen die niet goed rijp worden.

Burgunder gedijt goed
Vooral de zogenaamde Burgundersorten, te weten weißburgunder, grauburgunder en spätburgunder, gedijen hier geweldig, hoewel bepaalde producenten ook nog goede rieslings weten te produceren, een knappe prestatie. Het mag dan ook niet verbazen dat de beste plekken op de hellingen van dorpen als Ihringen, Achkarren, Oberrotweil en Burkheim bijna uitsluitend met de pinot-familie zijn beplant. Bovenstaande dorpen liggen allemaal aan de (zuid-) westkant van het gebergte en profiteren zodoende optimaal van de warme lucht van de Bourgondische Poort én de lange zonneschijn. Enkele beroemde wijngaarden zijn de Jechtinger Eichert, de Burkheimer Feuerberg*, de Oberrotweiler Henkenberg*, de Oberrotweiler Eichberg, de Oberrotweiler Kirchberg* en de warmste helling van wijngaard van Duitsland, de Ihringer Winklerberg*.

The Baden wine region, also known as Baden-Württemberg, is one of the 13 wine regions in Germany, situated in the southwestern part of the country. It enjoys a reputation as one of the warmest and sunniest wine regions in Germany, which makes it particularly well-suited for wine production. This region is characterized by a rich winemaking tradition and diverse grape varieties. Pairing local wines with traditional Baden dishes is a delightful experience.

More information about the Baden region

Baden benefits from a relatively mild and sunny climate due to its southern location. This climate is conducive to the ripening of a wide variety of grape varieties, including those that might struggle in other, cooler German wine regions. Baden hosts numerous wine festivals and events throughout the year, allowing locals and visitors to enjoy the region's wines. The Baden Wine Festival in Offenburg and the Müllheimer Weinmarkt are popular events that celebrate the local wine culture. With its stunning vineyard vistas, historic wine villages, and opportunities for wine tastings and vineyard tours, Baden is a prime destination for wine tourism.

What grapes are used in the Baden region

Baden, one of Germany's premier wine regions, is home to a wide variety of grape varieties, while it produces the classic German grape varieties like Riesling and Müller-Thurgau, it is also successful with international varietie of grapes. Here are some of the key grape varieties cultivated in Baden: 

Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder): Baden is renowned for its exceptional Pinot Noir production. The region's warm climate, diverse soils, and varied subregions all play a part in producing top-quality Spätburgunder wines.

Riesling: This versatile grape variety thrives in several subregions of Baden, yielding a range of styles, from dry to sweet. The volcanic soils of Kaiserstuhl and the sun-kissed vineyards contribute to the character of Baden's Rieslings.

Müller-Thurgau: Commonly planted in the Markgräflerland subregion, this grape variety produces light and aromatic wines with notes of white flowers and fruit.

Pinot Blanc (Weißburgunder): Pinot Blanc grapes thrive in the Tuniberg and Breisgau areas of Baden, resulting in fresh and crisp wines with a mild profile.

Pinot Gris (Grauburgunder): Known as Grauburgunder, this grape variety is celebrated in Baden for its full-bodied, often aromatic white wines, showing versatility across the region's subregions.

Chardonnay: Chardonnay is grown in some parts of Baden, producing elegant and well-structured wines, often with notes of tropical fruit and a touch of oak.

Gewürztraminer: This aromatic grape variety is cultivated in parts of Baden, particularly around the Kaiserstuhl region. It results in spicy, aromatic wines with intense floral and lychee notes.

Sauvignon Blanc: Gaining popularity in recent years, Sauvignon Blanc is grown in various subregions, contributing to fresh, zesty, and herbaceous white wines.

Muscat (Muskateller): Muscat grapes are cultivated in certain areas, resulting in fragrant and aromatic wines with notes of grape and citrus.

Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot: These international red varieties are increasingly grown in Baden and are used to craft rich and full-bodied red wines.

Silvaner: Silvaner grapes are found in Baden, especially in the Ortenau subregion, producing wines with a fresh and crisp character.

These grape varieties, among others, thrive in Baden's diverse terroir, creating a wide range of wines, from crisp whites to full-bodied reds. The region's commitment to quality winemaking has elevated its reputation as a significant player in the German wine scene, with its own distinct style and flavor profiles.

Subregions inside Baden

The Baden wine region in Germany is divided into nine sub-regions, each with its own unique terroir, grape varieties, and winemaking traditions. These sub-regions contribute to the diverse range of wines that Baden produces. Baden is a diverse and extensive wine region in Germany, and it's divided into nine subregions, each with its unique terroir and wine styles. Here's a brief overview of the subregions within Baden:

Markgräflerland: This is the southernmost subregion and is influenced by the warm climate of the Rhine Valley. It's known for its vibrant and fruity wines, including excellent Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder) and Müller-Thurgau.

Breisgau: Located just north of the Markgräflerland, Breisgau is famous for its Pinot Noir wines. The mild climate and volcanic soils make it an ideal location for this grape variety.

Kaiserstuhl: Known for its unique volcanic soil, Kaiserstuhl is a premium wine area within Baden. Pinot Noir and Burgundy varietals thrive here, producing elegant and expressive wines.

Tuniberg: Situated near the city of Freiburg, Tuniberg is celebrated for its high-quality Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris wines. The region's climate and terroir create wines with great finesse.

Ortenau: This region benefits from a warm and sunny climate, resulting in a diverse range of wines. Riesling and Pinot Noir are prominent, and the wines are known for their character and depth.

Breisach: Located near the Rhine River, Breisach is a subregion that produces both red and white wines. You'll find excellent Pinot Noir and Müller-Thurgau wines here.

Badische Bergstrasse: Nestled along the slopes of the Black Forest, this subregion focuses on Pinot Noir, producing wines with a distinct character due to the altitude and terroir.

Kraichgau: Known for its red wines, Kraichgau is particularly famous for its Pinot Noir. The diverse soils contribute to the wines' complexity.

Ortenau: This region benefits from a warm and sunny climate, resulting in a diverse range of wines. Riesling and Pinot Noir are prominent, and the wines are known for their character and depth.