Meulenhof

In the Mosel, the Treppchen and the Prälat in Erden are considered among the finest vineyards, steep enough (50 to 80% incline) that steps had to be built into the hillside for workers, which is how the Treppchen ("little staircase") got its name. This is the more sinewy, muscular side of the Mosel, shaped by iron-rich slate soils and sustained sun exposure. Stefan Justen has farmed these slopes at Meulenhof since 1990, and many of his vines are ungrafted, still possible in the Mosel because phylloxera never really took hold in the slate. His approach straddles the classic Mosel paradigm of filigree, featherlight Riesling and something a little more lusty, still faithful to the Mosel tradition, spanning both the modern dry and classical sweet idioms. We represented Meulenhof for two decades through Terry Theise, stayed in touch through the years between, and were quick to say yes when Stefan told us he was once again available in California.

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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.