Weingut Hans Wirsching is one of the largest privately owned family estates in Germany, situated in the picturesque medieval town of Iphofen in Franconia, 1.4 hours east of Frankfurt. The Wirschings have been involved in viticulture for many generations. As early as 1528, Hans Wirsching donated a vineyard to the Ebrach monastery. Now in its 14th generation, the Wirsching family with CEO Andrea Wirsching produces 37,000 cases on 225 acres of vineyards. They focus on Silvaner (40%), the signature grape of the Franconian wine area. 20% of their vineyards are planted with Riesling, the classical German grape, and 7% with Scheurebe, a fruity grape with aromas like Sauvignon Blanc.

The soils in this part of Franconia consist largely of “Keuper” or Jurassic Clay, a sediment stone from 220 million years ago, when dinosaurs walked through what was then swamps. Layers of Gypsum within that stone add an alkaloid which give the wines low to moderate acidity. The wines of Iphofen are full bodied with hints of herbaceous aromas and elegant fruit components.

The estate is certified for sustainable viticulture by FAIR’N GREEN, including environmental protection, management and corporate social responsibility. To keep the soil fertile in the long term, they plant the vineyards with greenery and take care to compact them as little as possible, i.e. driving in the vineyard only when necessary. They also do not use insecticides. Once harvested, grapes are sorted and fermented in stainless steel, large wooden barrels, or on the skins.