Meulenhof

This is, of course, anything but a “new” estate to many of us, since we proudly represented Stefan Justen and his jewel-like property for the two decades or so that we were the California distributors of Terry Theise. Stefan was always one of our favorite German producers, and we had a special affinity for his approach, which straddled the classic Mosel paradigm of filigree, featherlight Riesling and something a little more robust and rich. In short, we would describe his wines as lusty, but entirely faithful to the Mosel tradition. His holdings are largely in the vertiginous Grand Cru sites of Erden – the Treppchen and the Prälat. But he also has vines slightly down-river in Lösnich and Kinheim. Notable also is the Roman wine-press excavated at the bottom of the Treppchen which Stefan loves to show and explain to visitors. We have stayed in touch over the years and were therefore elated when he told us that he was once again available to us in California. The hard part was deciding what to leave behind, so compelling was the range he proposed. We think that you will find this to be a judicious representation of Stefan’s mastery of both the modern dry and classical sweet idioms. The prices are beyond reasonable, and the aging potential of these wines is a given. We still have a few cases in stock of older vintages, for those who are interested. Please inquire.

Producer:	Meulenhof
Country:	Germany
Region:	Mosel
Subregion:	Mittelmosel
City of Origin:	Erden
Date Founded:	1337
Owner Name:	Stefan Justen
Vineyard Size:	7 HA
Total Annual Production:	6000 cases

Property History:

Meulenhof’s earliest record of existence dates from 1337 when it was pledged by Countess Loretta and Count Johann von Sponheim to Knight Konrad of Lösenich. as part of the Cistercian monastery of Machern it was managed as a fruit and farm and mill. In the year 1802 it became part of secularization by Napoleon, like many ecclesiastical estates into bourgeois hands. In 1804, Johann Joseph and Bernard Joseph Schmitges acquired the Meulenhof. The Meulenhof was taken over in 1950 by their son Heinz Justen and since 1990 his son Stefan manages the Meulenhof. Many generations of Meulenhof’s “winemakers“ have dedicated themselves to produce a high quality product - and since 1900, Meulenhof is a member of the Bernkasteler Ring, a well-known wine auctioneer. On the steep-sloped vineyards, Stefan and Helma Justen produce very rich, yet highly elegant, harmonic wines. Supporting residual sugar is contrasted by a fruity or full-bodied taste.

Owner History:

Stefan Justen was born in 1959. He joined the company in 1974. He learnt viticulture and cellar management there. He later qualified as a technician for viticulture and cellar management. In 1982 he took over the vinification of the wines and in 1990, together with his wife Helma, he took over the management of the Meulenhof winery. Their two daughters Barbara and Julia support the winery.