Estate: Weingut Thörle

Region: Rheinhessen

Focus: Riesling, Spätburgunder, Silvaner, and other whites (Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc)

U.S importer: Bowler Wine

In the heart of Rheinhessen lies Weingut Thörle, a charming 16th-century estate located in the village of Saulheim and founded in 1517. In 2006, brothers Christoph and Johannes took over the winery from their parents at a young age, leaving their previous careers and cities to breathe new life into the estate. They undertook a complete overhaul of operations, driven by a clear vision to improve the image of their own winery and the Rheinhessen region as a whole. 

After years of dedicated manual labor in the vineyards and investments in top-notch equipment and practices, Weingut Thörle has emerged as a leader in exceptional wines and certified organic viticulture, known to many as one of the greatest Pinot Noir estates in Germany. Inspired by the unique terroir of their top limestone sites and committed to their ancestors’ winemaking heritage, Christoph and Johannes produce wines that are gaining recognition on the international stage. 

Christoph and Johannes manage close to 47 acres of vineyards across three Grosse Lage, or grand crus: Saulheimer Hölle, Saulheimer Schlossberg and Saulheimer Probstey, as well as the esteemed vineyard sites of Teufelspfad Essenheim and Lenchen Stadecken. They adopt an ecological approach, working without herbicides or insecticides and using only organic fertilizers, along with long maceration times and wild yeast fermentation.

The limestone-rich soil in the village of Saulheim plays a crucial role in producing wines that are strong, pure and exceptional in quality. This high lime content comes from marine deposits from the Rheinhessen Sea, dating back 38 to 12 million years ago. Christoph and Johannes’ dedication to organic farming further captures the estate’s diverse terroir and enhances the distinctive flavors of the wines.

• Saulheimer Hölle: Nestled between two chains of hills in the west of Saulheim, this vineyard benefits from a warm, wind-protected microclimate. The barren clay-limestone soil contributes to the production of Riesling and Spätburgunder with vibrant acidity and remarkable minerality.
• Saulheimer Schlossberg: This west-facing vineyard northwest of Saulheim has a cooler climate and features deep clay and limestone soils that retain heat and water. Sheltered by surrounding hills, it enjoys a warm air flow from the Rhine river through the Selztal, producing delicate, earthy Rieslings.
• Saulheimer Probstey: South-facing, this location is characterized by clay marl and limestone soil, with a gradient of up to 25%. It produces complex Riesling and Silvaner wines, marked by controlled growth that yields small-berried grapes with high aromatic intensity.
• Teufelspfad Essenheim: Translated to “Devil’s Path,” this long, steep vineyard, located on a slope facing southeast to southwest, produces intense and spicy wines. Its vines are exposed to the winds from the Selztal and benefit from a diverse array of soils, ranging from rich limestone to nutrient-dense marl and sandy loess.
• Lenchen Stadecken: Bordering the Grosse Lage Saulheimer Probstey, this vineyard is situated in a south-facing hollow that offers shelter from the wind. The dominant limestone soil type provides excellent ripening conditions for the vines, resulting in wines that are lively and fresh.

Weingut Thörle produces exceptional, hand-harvested wines, with a focus on Riesling, Spätburgunder and Silvaner. Each variety is vinified with precision in a spacious, state-of-the-art winery and aged in traditional wooden casks. Christoph and Johannes emphasize organic farming practices, allowing natural yeasts to flourish during fermentation and maintaining low yields in the vineyard. This commitment not only produces wines of impressive quality but also helps protect natural resources and preserve the vineyard landscape for future generations.

The winery produces estate wines grown around Saulheim and harvested through intensive manual labor, village wines that are carefully selected and grown in traditional limestone-rich locations, and single-vineyard wines which represent the highest standards of hand selection and ensure exceptional quality. 

Among their offerings, the Spätburgunder Trocken stands out as a favorite. Hand-picked and aged in oak barrels for approximately 20 months, it features intense notes of Morello cherries and raspberries, complemented by a fresh, acidic finish.