Schlossberg Grauburgunder GG

The Schlossberg is one of the most defining steep slopes in the Kaiserstuhl — and this Pinot Gris shows why: lime-rich volcanic rock, old vines from selection massale, long aging. The result is not a crowd-pleasing everyday wine, but a GG with real backbone.

Franz Keller has been managing the Schlossberg for decades with the goal of preserving the genetic diversity of the old vines. That is why the winery relies on selection massale instead of clones — every vine an individual, the vineyard a mosaic. Twelve months of aging in large wood, followed by six months of maturation on the full lees: this provides texture without over-shaping the wine.

In the glass, ripe citrus fruit, a hint of hazelnut, and green, herbal hints appear — herbs, perhaps some fennel. The palate is dense and endowed with a delicate melt, supported by a lively acidity. The finish is salty, mineral, and long — a clear fingerprint of the volcanic soil.

Serving recommendation: Best at 12–13 °C. Pairs with cod with butter sauce, sweetbreads, or a mature Comté.