Source: Rudi Wiest Selections

Source: Rudi Wiest Selections

MONCHHOF

Mosel

Formerly a possession of the Cistercian Abbey at Himmerod it is one of the oldest estates in the Mosel region. As early as 1177 documents from Pope Alexander III show the Abbey owned vineyards in and around the village of Ürzig. After secularization the Eymaels in 1804 purchased the estate from Napoleon at an auction in Paris. The estates top vineyards are comprised of the very steep Ürziger Würzgarten, Erdener Treppchen and the “filet” piece in one of the prized jewels in the Mosel valley – the Erdener Prälat. All the vineyards are planted 100% to Riesling (all with original rootstocks).

Terroir breakdown in the vineyards follows:

Ürziger Würzgarten – bedrock of reddish or iron rich slate materials similar to the Kastanienbusch at the Rebholz estate.

Erdener Treppchen – compact weathered clay / slate, very stony, gravely

Erdener Prälat – a composite of both the Würzgarten and Treppchen; in addition to being well protected from rock formations on both sides; it is also the best solar collector.

Robert Eymael, the owner, has been charge since 1994. The estate produces primarily fruity style wines but is showing signs for taking a turn towards drier styled wines. The estate also formed the backdrop for Moselbrück, a German soap opera about a German wine estate.

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