Weingut Max Ferd. Richter - Mülheim - Mosel

History And Philosophy - A Short Introduction

The estate of MAX FERD.RICHTER has been in the ownership of the family for more than 300 years. Today this enterprise is one of the leading producers of top RIESLING-wines in the heart of the central Mosel area with total holdings of 40 acres and an annual production of about 10,500 cases.

Vineyards:

MAX FERD.RICHTER not only produces fine RIESLING-wines which are well known throughout the world, such as "Wehlener Sonnenuhr", "Graacher Himmelreich" and "Brauneberger Juffer", but also two Monopoly top quality wines: "Mülheimer Helenenkloster" and "Veldenzer Elisenberg". The possession of these vineyards dates from 1813 when one of the ancestors, by his personal courage, succeeded in preventing the plundering of Mülheim by Emperor Napoleon I.

MAX FERD.RICHTER supplies a large variety of single vineyard wines. The terroir of their steep vineyard sites is generally fresh weathering grey slate with different compositions of ferruginous (Brauneberg), mineral quartz (Veldenz) or clay parts (Graach, Wehlen, Mülheim); those make the character and flavour.

More information about the history and the wines of the single vineyard sites can be found by following these links:

Quality ensurance:

In order to reduce quantity and increase concentration, pruning is severe and in prolific years a "vendange verte" is carried out in August. The vintage is picked much later than that of most growers and is done entirely by hand. Three passes are done to select the best qualities to eliminate all inferior grapes and to keep perfect botrtytis bunches or single berries for Auslese qualities - and above. All estate wines are fermented and matured temperature controlled in traditional oak casks (Fuders) so that the individual character of each wine can develop to its full potential. Excellent storage facilities ensure careful ageing. RICHTER-wines are made to last!

Eiswein:

The EISWEINS from the Mülheimer Helenenkloster vineyard are well known and are a speciality of the RICHTER estate. The estate was the only one in the Mosel to produce an Eiswein in 1976. The 2008 Eiswein was picked on 7th Jan. 2009 at -19° C (-2,2° F). That was the 31st Eiswein made in the Estate since 1961.

Since the family has always been aiming at optimum quality, the estate of MAX FERD. RICHTER has obtained many of the highest awards in various competitions. The wines of MAX FERD. RICHTER enjoy worldwide acclaim: They are ambassadors for the rich cultural heritage of the unique Mosel landscape!

Management:

The Estate is run by a team of experienced professionals: Dr. Dirk Richter (1946), President and owner, winemaker Walter Hauth (1945) and vineyard manager Werner Franz (1952). With Constantin M. F. Richter, B.Sc. (1986), the next generation is actually preparing to take on the family tradition.

Sales: