Weingut Wittmann

Weingut Wittmann is an estate based in the wine-growing village of Westhofen in the Rheinhessen region of Germany. It is primarily dedicated to the production of top-quality Riesling wines sourced from the four Grosses Gewächs-classified sites in Westhofen – Aulerde, Kirchspiel, Morstein and Brunnenhauschen. The Wittmann family has a long history of winemaking in the area, dating back to 1663.

The four vineyards offer varied terroir, producing different styles of Riesling. The Aulerde vineyard is protected by the eastern and southeastern slopes of the neighbouring Kirchspiel site and is therefore the warmest of the estate's vineyards. The Brunnenhäuschen site's elevated position means that the grapes grown here ripen slowly, and are harvested later than the other sites. Weingut Wittmann cultivates half a hectare (1.2 acres) of Riesling in the old Abtserde parcel in Brunnenhäuschen. The Morstein site was first documented in 1282 and is planted to 4ha (10 acres) of Riesling in the parcel's best southeast-facing slopes.

Wittmann's grapes are harvested by hand and processed in modern presses that replicate the action of traditional basket presses. After pressing, the musts are left to ferment spontaneously in oak casks in the presence of natural yeasts. In addition to the estate's Grosses Gewächs-classified Riesling wines, Weingut Wittmann also produces a range of dry and Auslese Rieslings, as well as a selection of Scheurebe, Silvaner, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines.