The fruit for the Wachenheimer Riesling comes from a single-vineyard site, called Königswingert (“King’s Vineyard”), but the wine is labeled only with the village name. This excellent site lies just to the north of the village and is rated as a premier cru vineyard. The Wachenheimer Riesling has an elegant mineral purity and good intensity on the palate. It is a refreshing wine that’s very easy to drink, but there is also a distinctive stony character that reflects the terroir of Königswingert.

The Belz (pronounced “BELTS”) vineyard, one of the finest in the village of Wachenheim, is the only site in the area with a significant amount of chalk (shell limestone) in the soil. It produces distinctive wines with a rounded structure and an engaging grapefruit note in the aroma. A captivating stony perfume emerges from the wine as it matures. This premier cru site is wholly owned by the Villa Wolf estate.

Forster Pechstein (PESH-stine) is one of the finest vineyards in the Pfalz and has been regarded as a grand cru site for centuries. It lies on the gentle, east-facing slope that extends from behind the village of Forst up toward the Haardt Mountains. The name (literally, “tar stone”) refers to the black basalt stones in the soil, which give the wines a strong mineral backbone. Of all the vineyards at Villa Wolf, Pechstein produces the most assertive, mineral-driven Rieslings.

The Pinot Gris variety was first identified in the Pfalz region, and Germany is second only to Italy in acres planted. Villa Wolf Pinot Gris is made in a full-bodied, dry style with fresh, unoaked fruit and a crisp texture. Half of each vintage is made in large, neutral oak casks for depth and complexity. The other half is done in stainless steel to preserve freshness and enhance the vibrant fruit. It is an excellent partner for salmon, chicken or pork.

Villa Wolf Pinot Blanc is an elegant and easy drinking wine. Fresh and bright aromas come from picking the fruit at the optimal ripeness. This medium-bodied dry wine is complex, and off dry, with just the right amount of acidity creating a great balance. It is light and fruity enough to enjoy on its own but also pairs well with food.

The Villa Wolf Sauvignon Blanc is produced from fruit that has reached optimum ripeness, but is not over ripe. And only clean, healthy fruit (no botrytis) is allowed. The sandy loam soils of the Pfalz region produces fruit with excellent purity and varietal expression, resulting in wines that are fresh and juicy, with aromatic character and a crisp backbone of acidity.

The Villa Wolf Gewürztraminer is clean, fruity and wonderfully light on its feet. It shows off the aromatic charm of the variety without being heavy or ponderous. It has a deliciously juicy texture and a delightfully delicate aroma of spice and fresh roses. It’s very refreshing to drink on its own and makes a perfect accompaniment to spicy Asian cuisine.

This medium-bodied dry Riesling has lovely flavors of peach and stone, with a hint of apricot. Nicely balanced acidity gives it a juicy grip. It is an excellent match for classic continental-style cooking, especially with dishes that feature freshwater fish, chicken and pork.

This classic, off-dry Pfalz Riesling is sourced from vineyards throughout the region and reflects the fresh and balanced style that all Villa Wolf wines strive to achieve. It beautifully captures the peachy fruit and stony structure that are characteristic of Rieslings grown in the sandy loam soils and warm, sunny climate of the Pfalz. Refreshing and delicious on its own, it also pairs well with cheeses and savory dishes involving chicken or pork.

The Pfalz is a very warm and sunny region, often called “the Tuscany of Germany,” so all of the Pinot varieties do well here. The Villa Wolf Pinot Noir Rosé is a true rosé, made with a brief maceration before pressing to extract the lovely salmon color. It is light and refreshing, with deliciously bright berry and fruit flavors and a clean, zippy finish. It’s perfect for holiday meals, especially when ham is involved.

This sparkling wine is another delicious new idea from Ernst Loosen, owner of Villa Wolf. It builds on the growing popularity of the Villa Wolf Pinot Noir Rosé still wine, and reflects the fresh and balanced style that all Villa Wolf wines strive to achieve. It is a very enjoyable and invigorating rosé Sekt (German for sparkling wine) that is the perfect drink to welcome friends or to enjoy outside on the patio.

Fun Fact: Germany is the third largest producer of Pinot Noir in the world! The Villa Wolf Pinot Noir is warm and medium-bodied, with a firm acid structure. Its dark cherry fruit is juicy, ripe, and forward, with a spicy mid-palate. Twelve months of aging in used barriques gives the wine a smoky depth and a nice touch of earthy tannins. This is a very grown-up Pinot Noir for the price, and it’s another excellent wine for everyday dining.

Dornfelder is the most successful German red grape. It is a crossing developed in 1955 at the Weinsberg Wine School, and was named after the founder of the Wine School, Imanuel Dornfeld. About 20,262 acres (8,200 hectares) of Dornfelder are planted throughout Germany, accounting for 8% of the total vineyard area. The majority of this grape is produced in the Rheinhessen and Pfalz regions, each with over 7,400 acres (3,000 hectares) planted. Villa Wolf Dornfelder is a fruity, medium-bodied red wine with flavors of plums and cherries balanced by velvety tannins. It has an intense color and pairs well with a wide variety of foods.