Schlossberg Grauburgunder GG

The Schlossberg vineyard is one of the most distinctive steep slopes in the Kaiserstuhl region — and this Pinot Gris demonstrates why: calcareous volcanic rock, old vines from massal selection, and extended aging. The result is not a pleasing everyday wine, but a Grosses Gewächs (GG) with real backbone.

Franz Keller has cultivated the Schlossberg vineyard for decades with the aim of preserving the genetic diversity of the old vines. Therefore, the winery relies on massal selection rather than cloning—each vine an individual, the vineyard a mosaic. Twelve months of aging in large oak barrels, followed by six months of maturation on the lees: this imparts texture without over-shaping the wine.

In the glass, ripe citrus fruit, a hint of hazelnut, and green, herbal notes emerge—herbs, perhaps a touch of fennel. The palate is dense and possesses a delicate, creamy texture, supported by lively acidity. The finish is salty, mineral, and long—a clear imprint of the volcanic soil.

Serving suggestion: Best served at 12–13 °C. Pairs well with cod in butter sauce, sweetbreads, or a mature Comté cheese. Drinking window: 2025–2032.