Dominik Mueller

Description

Based in Rheingau, Germany.

Jean-Baptist Becker founded the winery in 1893. Today, it is run by his grandson Johann Josef Becker, whom most people call Hans-Josef, or simply "Hajo". Hans-Josef Becker, born in 1945, completed his apprenticeship at Weingut Graf Eltz in Eltville in 1963, followed by his studies in Geisenheim from 1966 through 1969, after which he joined the family business. He was one of the first winemakers to produce dry Riesling, something that was unheard of in the Rheingau at the time.

Hans-Josef Becker is a believer in organic viticulture. He hasn't used fertilizer for almost fifty years, but he only decided to become certified Bio (engl.: organic) in 2011. Weingut J.B. Becker is relatively small, producing just over 60,000 bottles per year, and dedicates itself strongly to traditionally produced highest-quality Rheingau wines. In some years, Becker harvests less than 40 hectolitres per hectare due to rigorous pruning, far below the regional average of 70 to 80 hectolitres and the maximum allowed quantity of 100 hectolitres. Though best-known for dry and off-dry Riesling as well as Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder), the winery also produces a bit of Müller-Thurgau.