REGION: Saar/Mosel VILLAGE: Konz
Winemaker, Viticulturist, Founder – Peter Thelen
Peter founded Petershof in Oberemmel at the Saar/Mosel in 2019. For 15 years he has been working in different wine regions including Germany and South Africa in winemaking and general managing.
In the vineyard, Peter is avoiding using herbicides and fertilizes purely organically. In addition, the biodiversity in the vineyard helps the soil to stay healthy.
Peter: “Quality is made in the vineyard and not in the cellar. In the cellar, your job is to keep the extraordinaire quality. This is why all our vineyards are harvested separately and by hand. Grapes are pressed gently and he ferments each block individually to keep the typicity of each vineyard. For fermentation, he uses a mix of spontaneous fermentation and inoculation with yeast strains. Peter ferments his wines in Fuder (1000 Liter or 265 gallons) oak vessels. This is the traditional barrel size for this region and it supports the typicity of the vineyard, terroir and soil character without overpowering it. “Every parcel has its own story and this is how it can shine!” says Peter.
Tradition and New Beginnings
“Tradition because we are working with the most diverse white grape variety in the world, RIESLING! And you will find it in so many different facets in the Saar region. To be honest, our wines are a love letter to the classic style of Saarriesling. Minerality, elegant and vibrant acidity and every now and then a hint of sweetness. This is what wines from this region are known for and this what we want to do!
We love Riesling and therefore this is our focus.
There is hardly any other white grape variety that is able to showcase soil, microclimate, and how it is cultivated so precisely and so intensely at the same time.
Riesling gives you a whole range of options from everyday, fun wine to topnotch wines. To showcase this is our passion!” Peter.
How it all started
2019 – First the vines, then the wine. With the launch of Petershof, Peter made sure to work with the best vineyards in the area and he managed to get his hand on some of the most prestigious vineyards in this area. 2019 meant a lot of work in the vineyard to achieve the quality he was looking for in his wine.
Spring 2020 – Spring 2020 came along and Peter and Nelly made their vision and dream come true by purchasing the building that is now home to Peter’s wines.
Summer 2020 – Tanks and the press are moving into the cellar. The brand Petershof is being created!
Fall 2020 – The first harvest was something really special for Petershof even though he has done so many harvests before.
Winter 2020/21 – labels are ready to be shown off!
Spring 2021 – Nelly’s and Peter’s first vintage is being bottled with support and help from family and friends.
Fall 2021 – Vinum Wine Magazine “Discovery of the Year 2022 – Mosel Region”!
