Weingut Van Volxem, Saar

Van Volxem: A historic wine estate in the Saar Valley

The beautiful wine estate Van Volxem is located in the historic center of Wiltingen, one of Germany's leading wine towns, situated in the heart of the Saar Valley. This area is world famous thanks to the famous Scharzhofberg vineyard.

The history of Van Volxem goes back to Roman times. From the 11th century, the domain was owned by a Luxembourg monastic order that produced their wines there. In the wake of the French Revolution, when many church properties were sold, the estate came into the hands of Brussels winemaker Gustav Van Volxem. Under his leadership, the estate grew into one of the leading wine domains of the German empire.

"Van Volxem wines are handmade, precision work like a Leica, an intricate watch. Great wines, stemming from nature, each with their own character." Der Stern

Pioneer Roman Niewodniczanski

In 2000, the estate was taken over by the talented Roman Niewodniczanski. He spent neither cost nor effort to restore the rich history of Van Volxem and produce only the finest wines. Van Volxem owns some of the best plots in the region, such as Scharzhofberg, Braunfels, Klosterberg, Kanzemer Altenberg, Wawerner Goldberg, and Gottesfuss. The estate extends over 69 hectares of vineyards, 96% of which are planted with Riesling and the rest with Weissburgunder. Located on steep slopes with slate soil, these vineyards were classified in the two highest categories of the Prussian classification system in 1868.

Van Volxem vines have an average age of 40 years, but in the top vineyard Wiltinger Gottesfuss there are still old pre-phylloxera vines over 130 years old, which is very rare. Since the takeover by Niewodniczanski, the team was strengthened in 2004 with the gifted cellar master Dominik Völkl. This collaboration proved very successful, and their obsession with quality has resulted in Van Volxem's wines becoming synonymous with pure class.

"It was always clear to me - here on the Saar that - there is only one way to reach your goal: the highest quality standards; precision and perfection. Over the years we have obtained the best slate sites and now have the perfect workplace to achieve our vision, which motivates my staff and I a lot." Roman Niewodniczanski

Exceptional quality from the Mosel

Van Volxem still operates as a "manufactory" in the classic sense of the word, with everything done by hand, from work in the steep vineyards to winemaking in the cellar. Grapes are picked exclusively by hand under optimal conditions and at full ripeness, so the harvest takes place in three passages. After gentle bruising and brief maceration, the grapes are gently pressed. The juice is vinified in both wooden barrels and stainless steel tanks. To do full justice to the terroir of each vineyard, only indigenous yeasts are used.

The wines of Van Volxem are characterized by their optimal maturity, strict selection of grapes, spontaneous fermentation and concentration, as well as their distinct terroir signature. The constant search for the perfect balance between these elements makes Van Volxem's wines particularly interesting.

The international wine press has not overlooked Van Volxem's quality. Their wines, from entry-level wines to the Grosse Lagen, have received brilliant scores and awards, attesting to their outstanding quality and craftsmanship.