Retail Team | November 28, 2023
In 2007, 27-year-old Kai Schätzel inherited control of a 650-year-old family-run winery in Germany’s Rheinhessen region. For him, respecting tradition meant being willing to embrace radical change, going to whatever lengths necessary to capture beautiful expressions of grape and soil.
Today, Kai is widely recognized as one of the premiere Riesling stylists, introducing practices that seem untraditional, even unorthodox. Looking to places like the Mosel’s Saar and Burgundy for inspiration, he’s instituted biodynamic growing practices and experiments with canopy management systems that suit his preference for picking early. The wines, which ferment spontaneously and are usually unfiltered, are defined by modest alcohol levels, superb mineral structure, and mouthwatering acidity.
Yet for all their innovations, Kai and his team work much as the Schätzel forbearers did: eschewing machinery on steep vineyard slopes, picking and sorting by hand, crushing grapes by foot, and maturing wines in 800-year-old cellars.
Along with a magnificent, vaulted cellar, Kai also inherited a brilliant set of vineyards that include holdings in Ölberg, Pettenthal, Hipping, and Niersteiner. Sotheby’s Wine is thrilled to present two wines from the Schätzel range, including a 2016 Kabinett Riesling and a 2015 Goldkapsel Auslese Riesling.
Rooted in tradition yet relentless in his quest for excellence, Kai has emerged as one of the most formidable talents in German winemaking today.
This offer is valid until 30 November 2023. While stocks last. Offer cannot be combined with any other offers and excludes previous purchases. Taxes and fees will be charged where applicable. Offer may change without notice. Other conditions may apply.
