At A Glance
- Field
- Detail
- Region
- Rheinhessen, Germany
- Village
- Westhofen
- Vineyard area
- 7.7 hectares
- Named wine
- Cuvée Weiss
- Defining feature
- Limestone vineyards and low intervention winemaking
The Producer
In 2018, Jason Groebe moved Bergkloster into fully natural winemaking. He removed filtration and fining agents and stopped adding sulfites. Bergkloster is a family winery, with Groebe representing the fifth generation of winemakers. Organic work began in 2006.
Place
Westhofen is Bergkloster's home village in Rheinhessen, Germany. The vineyards are limestone based. Porous limestone lets water pass through while retaining some moisture, so roots can access water without prolonged saturation. That balance can help white grapes retain freshness during ripening. No slope, altitude or named parcel is attached to the vineyard description.
Wines
Bergkloster's white range includes Cuvée Weiss and Lebendig Frisch 2025. Cuvée Weiss is a blend of six grape varieties. No grape composition or cellar method is specified for Lebendig Frisch 2025.
Cuvée Weiss 2022 uses Huxelrebe, Bacchus, Pinot Gris, Weissburgunder, Sauvignon Blanc and a small amount of Riesling. Bacchus and Huxelrebe were whole bunch crushed and fermented on their skins individually. Whole bunch crushing keeps stems and berries together at the start of fermentation, while skin contact leaves grape solids in the fermenting must and can add aromatic depth and phenolic texture. Pinot Gris, Weissburgunder, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling were pressed directly, reducing their contact with skins and stems.
Fermentation and ageing took place in oak barrels from 1200 L to 4500 L, with a smaller stainless steel portion. Large oak barrels generally allow slow oxygen exchange with less overt oak flavour than small barrels. After nine months, the lots were blended and bottled without filtration or any additions. The finished wine carries juicy pear, rhubarb and a hint of elderflower, followed by electric acidity and a long, crunchy finish.
Final Word
Bergkloster is a Westhofen family winery where limestone vineyards meet low intervention white winemaking. Cuvée Weiss joins skin fermentation, direct pressing and large oak ageing in one blend, then leaves the cellar without filtration or additions.