Country of Origin: Germany
Location: Saarburg
People: Hanno & Ruth Zilliken, Owners | Hanno Zilliken, Winemaker
Supplier: http://www.rudiwiest.com
As early as 1742, or 270 years ago, records show that the
ancestors of the Zilliken family were active as wine producers in both
Saarburg and Ockfen. The initial status and reputation of the
estate’s wines were primarily the work of the Royal Prussian District
Forester, Ferdinand Geltz (1851-1925). As an affirmation of his
achievements, the estate still carries his name. In 1976 Hanno Zilliken
and his father succeeded in restoring the original estate to its former
size after it had previously been partitioned through inheritances.
Hanno started on in 1976 as cellar master and took ownership in 1981. In
2007, his oldest daughter, Dorothee joined the estate after completing
her studies at Geisenheim and a two year stint at Schloss Vollrad in the
Rheingau.
The estate has one of the most unique cellars anywhere. It is three
levels below ground and the deepest cellar in the Saar. It offers an
unparalleled environment with near 100% humidity and a constant cool
temperature of about 48°F. It is here that the wines are fermented and
matured in German oak (neutral) 1,000 liter barrels also known as
Fuders. This cool, damp environment provides optimal conditions to
produce Rieslings with great aging potential. Quintessential Saar
Rieslings! For example, top wines from the great 1983 vintage are still
timelessly fresh.
The estate owns 11 ha of great Saar vineyards, planted 100% to Riesling and produces about 7,000 cases a year. The following Grand Cru vineyards are instrumental for the greatness of the estate:
Saarburger Rausch: Thinly layered slate, very gravelly with
basalt rock, (Diabas), and veins of reddish earth. The Rieslings from
the Rausch exhibit an interesting, subtle, dusty gout de terroir along
with citrus, lemon balm and flint.
Ockfener Bockstein: Grey slate, sandstone laced with
quartzite, gravelly, and intermittent yellow earth. Bockstein
Rieslings are more steely and straight ahead but also apples, pears and
citrus.
The Zilliken Estate was a founding member of the Mosel VDP. |
