Weingut Meyer Nakel Sonnenberg GG Spatburgunder 2022

Type: Red
Country: Germany
Region: Ahr Valley
Grape Variety: 100 % Pinot Noir

Climate: Mild climate with ideal conditions for vinegrowing
Terroir: The name Sonnenberg speaks for itself. 95% are steep slopes, ideally facing south towards the sun and offering the best conditions for Pinot Noir. Due to its southern orientation and favourable slope, the Sonnenberg in Bad Neuenahr, located at 100-150m above sea level, is one of the preferred locations that benefit from high solar radiation and a favourable microclimate. The soil is a skelett-rich conglomerate of greywacke to greywacke slate mixed with loam proportions through hanging loam to loess and loess loam. One is almost 5 meters high. The demolition edge in the lower area of the layer clearly shows the type of soil. Scientific studies have shown this to be the warmest place in the entire Ahr valley. The predominant grape variety Pinot Noir results in massive, voluminous wines that retain a fruity, elegant character due to the stone content of the soil
Ageing: Old vines, sustainable vineyard work, consistent yield reduction and careful hand-picking form the basis for this wine. The yield is around 30hl/ha. The grapes are gently transported to the winery in small boxes, spontaneous fermentation, 20 days of maceration time on the mash, ageing in barrique (70% new wood content) on the fine yeast for 18 months, and then 6 months in bottle storage. Unfiltered bottling

Color: Ruby red
Nose: Complex wine with earthy, herbal and pronounced fruity aromas
Palate: Dark and red berries, a little cherry with pepper and malt combine with fine acidity and clear minerality to form a full-bodied wine. A Pinot Noir with fine tannins, good substance, persistence on the palate and a juicy mineral finish

About the Winery:
The name of the wine estate goes back to the marriage of grandparents Paula Meyer and Willibald Näkel in 1950. They cultivated an area of just 1.5 hectares, yet were able to make a name for themselves because Willibald’s production of dry red wines represented thoroughly pioneering work at the time. The Ahr is situated just north of 50˚ latitude, which most people consider to be the boundary for viticulture.

Like many wineries in the Ahr, Meyer-Näkel focuses mainly on Pinot Noir (or as it’s known locally, Spätburgunder). The secret lies in an ideal micro climate found in the Ahr due to special geological conditions. The steep south-facing vineyard slopes are perfectly angled towards the sun, providing additional warmth and sun exposure in one of Germany’s most northerly winegrowing regions. The soil formed from weathered slate and Greywacke warm up easily and are able to store heat. Hence, the grapes grow in an ideal biotope of the narrow Ahr valley that is protected by the Eifel Hills. The unique microclimate is reflected in Meyer-Näkel’s red wines – fruitiness and full body in the foreground, and a slight herbaceousness and minerality on the palate.

Today, the winery is run by 3rd generation Meike and Dörte (with their parents Werner and Claudia Näkel), who have embraced their family’s passion and skill for winemaking, with a fresh take on the River Ahr, Slate and Pinot Noir…