GET TOGETHER © Stefan Schütz

The Stettener Stein. An impressive steep slope!

On Saturday morning, a bus took us out to the Stettener Stein, some twenty kilometres away. Just driving past the striking shell limestone cliffs made it clear why this landscape is one of Germany’s most fascinating wine regions.

Our first stop was the winery’s outbuilding. There is also a large rainwater reservoir there, which can be supplemented by water from the Main when the water level is high enough. Ludwig gave us an initial introduction to his biodynamic methods here, flanked by a small flock of sheep. Biodynamics also means incorporating animals into the farm’s ecological cycles. Georg Meißner, who has been advising the Knolls for many years, explained the approach from the perspective of a biodynamic consultant and scientist.

We carried on with the Unimogs. As the sun was already beating down mercilessly from the sky, colourful umbrellas transformed the little convoy into a cheerful, colourful sight. We urgently needed them out in the vineyard too – the VDP.GROSSEN LAGE Stettener Stein.

This is where one of the estate’s most important ambassadors grows on the rock: Silvaner. Depending on the plot, soil, aspect and microclimate, it reveals different facets. It’s no coincidence that the Knolls are famous for this grape variety. Ludwig’s craftsmanship and expertise provide it with the necessary framework.

 We made our way up the steep slope to the barbecue area. Many of us had to hold on to the tension wires to make our way up. By the time we reached that point, it had become clear to everyone what viticulture on such a steep slope entails. Anyone who works here with buckets, sprayers or machinery deserves the utmost respect. Very few people can truly appreciate this. But the Tements in Southern Styria certainly can. Or the Busch family on the Moselle.

The demonstration that followed by Marius Rau, Antonia’s husband, was fascinating. Modern drone technology makes it easier for the Knolls to work on the steep slopes. Whether it’s a fine mist of preparation or a heavy drizzle of herbal and plant teas – this technology opens up possibilities that significantly reduce the physically demanding nature of the work whilst being more precise than human labour. Biodynamics also means moving with the times!

STETTENER STEIN © Stefan Schütz

Back at the vineyard

After a short breather at the hotel, the afternoon brought espresso, delicious ice cream and, of course, plenty of wine in the form of a table presentation. Tasting with respect!

Each ‘respekt’ winery had brought along five wines and presented them to the international guests from the catering, retail and media sectors. And, of course, to one another too! Around the tasting stands, people talked shop, discussed, laughed and enjoyed delicious sourdough bread. It is precisely this blend of professional exchange and personal interaction that defines ‘respekt-JOHANNI’.

Those wishing to delve deeper were able to attend one of the three masterclasses.

Prof. Dr Christian Kellermann, a researcher at the German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) and the University of Labour Frankfurt, took the audience on a journey through the myths and realities of artificial intelligence in viticulture as part of a ‘reality check’. Using concrete examples – ranging from the automation of core viticultural tasks, through AI-supported sensor technology, to the development of climate-adaptive grape varieties – it became clear that AI is neither an all-round solution nor a threat, but rather a complex tool whose possibilities and limitations only become apparent and applicable through a dialogue between human experience and machine learning.

Harald Scholl, Editor-in-Chief for Germany at VINUM wine magazine, focused his tasting session on the question of how biodynamic viticulture can reveal a wine’s provenance, texture and profile in the glass. Through a selection of wines, it became clear that precision, inner tension and grandeur today arise not from heaviness, but from form, energy and the expression of provenance.

Hermann Mengler, a long-standing viticulture adviser to the government of Lower Franconia and one of the most distinguished experts on Franconian wine and cultural landscapes, adopted a deliberately interdisciplinary approach. In his lecture ‘Enjoyment is Life’, he looked far beyond wine and impressively demonstrated how enjoyment, landscape, cultural history and social development are intertwined. A change of perspective.

MASTERCLASS © Stefan Schütz

In the heat of the night.

The cosy part of the day began in the early evening. At various cooking stations, partners such as Imperial Nürnberg, Jamei Laibspeis, Zeit am Stein, Schmackofatz, Backöfele, the Düll bakery and Pasta e Olio provided a superb culinary spread – including pork belly with fennel, poke bowls and Kaiserschmarrn with vanilla ice cream and fruit.

 Later, the traditional St John’s Fire blazed. Large bottles were passed round, music filled the courtyard, and people were dancing here and there. The highlight: six respekt winemakers spontaneously began dancing around the fire – clearly great fun for them and an enthusiastic audience. Thank you for this fun moment; we’ll remember it for a long time to come!

And thank you, dear Sandra, dear Ludwig, dear Antonia, dear Marius and dear Vinzenz. You’ve given us a weekend that will be remembered for a long time to come. See you next year in Württemberg – the first ideas are already being considered. We’ll keep you posted!

PARTY © Stefan Schütz