The Estate

Total vineyard size	10 hectares
Grapes	80% Riesling, 15% Pinot Gris, 5% Pinot Noir
Average age of the vines	20 to 35 years
Production	5000 cases
Average Yield	45 hl/ha
Vinification	Cool fermentation in stainless steel, followed by maturation in oak barrels and light kieselguhr filtration

The J L Wolf estate in Wachenheim is a model farm designed by the architect Eisenlohr. It was completed in 1843 and boasts a unique country villa, a courtyard with mature trees, a formal garden and magnificent vaulted cellars.

The winery was founded in 1756 by the then mayor, Johann Wolf, who bought some of the best vineyard parcels above the villages of Wachenheim, Forst and Deidesheim.

In 1828 the King of Bavaria commissioned a cartographer to produce a map showing the taxable value of every slope in the area. The J L Wolf holdings still include five grand cru and four premier cru vineyards.

In 1996 Ernst Loosen took over the winemaking business, bringing new winemaking concepts and goals with him, including reduced yields, the use of organic fertilisers and selective harvesting.

Ernst is more famous as the owner of the Dr Loosen Estate in Bernkastel on the Mosel and has been voted Gault-Millau "Winemaker of the Year 2001".