Dominik Mueller

Description

Based in Mosel Saar Ruwer, Germany.

Owned by Roman Niewodniczanski ("Niewo") of the Bitburger beer dynasty since 2000, Van Volxem actually dates back many generations. The winery was founded in Wiltingen on the Saar. Its original vineyards go back to Roman times. Along with other producers from the Saar and Moselle, Van Volxem's wines reached international popularity and eventually ranked amongst the highest-priced white wines in the world in the early twentieth centure before the world wars.

Today, Van Volxem cultivates between 80 and 100 hectares of vines, approximately, depending on which source you cite. The focus remains firmly on Riesling. They built a new modernist winery atop the Wiltinger Schlossberg in 2019. There, they have more than 100 tanks of 2,000 to 4,000 litres each, plus many large wooden barrels for ageing (Fuder barrels, ~960 litres) made out of wood from the family's own forests in the Eifel.

Steep vineyards. Grapes are hand-picked. Their wines are typically animating and low in alcohol, aiming for an elegant style.