Knolls Winemaker Tip: The unknown man from Strümpfelbach

Two tracks because he is not only responsible for the family-run winery, in which father Horst (born 1959) is responsible for the outdoor business on 12 acres, but also supervises another small winery as a co-owner, which found a partner a few years ago and has a very unusual company name: 48° 46’ 53” north OO9 ° 22’ 05” east - parfum der erde (“parfum of the earth”). But let’s start with Andi Knauß. Or with the senior.

Horst Knauß originally came from the automotive industry, but completed a degree as winemaker in the mid-nineties, and started as a newcomer in 1995. Only being 15 years old, his son Andi began his training as winemaker at Bernhard Ellwanger in the nearby Großheppach two years later. From 2004 to 2006 he attended the State Teaching and Research Institute Weinsberg and graduated as a winemaker. He was in particularly impressed by an internship at Hans (“John”) Nittnaus in Gols at the Neusiedlersee in 2007, who with his Blaufränkisch and his red blend Comondor (which recently celebrated their 20th birthday - YOOPRESS reported) in particular illustrates that he is one of the best red wine makers in Austria.

This suited. Finally, father and son Knauß have a red wine share for 70 percent, which is to be increased in the years to come. The vines are sometimes up to 40 years old. Marked as “R” for the best wines in the reserve wines category, yield reductions on about 30 liters/ are are practiced. Afterwards, the wines mature in wooden barrels carrying 300 to 5000 liters with a low to medium toasting, and are filled unfiltered. The white wines are fermented in stainless steel and are then stored in large wooden barrels.

Andi Knauß relies on the time factor. His Pinot Noir and Lemberger “R” from 2009 are only sold in May 2011. The Cuvée Altenberg (Merlot, Lemberger) will not be released before September 2011. Those who do not want to wait so long for these exciting red wines can taste the magnificent 2009 Lemberger “S” and the Zweigelt “S”. Also the basic red wines including Pinot Noir, Lemberger and Trollinger are quite respectable. The current white wines (a cuvée Pinot Gris/ Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay and Riesling) are mainly part of the Knauß’sche “S” category.  The juicy and delicious Riesling appeals the most.

And then there is the small winery with the unusual name that stands for the geographic coordinates of the vineyards and implies a special quality and something like an affinity to the native soil with its addition. Dr. Rainer Scholz (46), who is working in telecommunications, came to Swabia over Berlin, had an office in Stuttgart and a residence in Strümpfelbach. When vines were up for sale, he went for it. For in the meantime he had appreciated the wine and the associated landscape - and met Andi Knauß. In 2006 they began with an oak barrel full of Regent. Meanwhile, other varieties were added, that is Pinot Noir, Riesling and Müller-Thurgau. They are, like the Knauß wines, fermented without yeasts. “The wines are to represent the character of the soil,” says the duo.

Andi Krauss relies on the time factor. For his best wines in the reserve class reductions to 30 liters / acre are practiced. (Photo: Andy Krauss)

From the best grapes presses Andi Krauss made also the first class Scholz'chen Pinot Noir, Regent and his Cuvée Altenberg (Photo: Andy Krauss)

Müller-Thurgau is a crisp and savory summer wine; Riesling impresses with juice and mineral components,  Pinot Noir is really subtle and complex. And also with the Regent, which initially was a bit woody due to the new oak, they have found the right path to an elegant, fiery red wine in 2009. The prices for the wines from both companies are quite confident in the top category (for example a Pinot Noir by Scholz costs 28.90 Euros, a Regent is sold for 24.90 Euros, a Cuvée Altenberg by Knauß for 28 Euros). But these red wines are first-class. And there are far cheaper alternatives below 10 Euros.

The perfume company operates with a reasonable division of labor. Scholz, who meanwhile has moved back to the German North for professional reasons, comes to Strümpfelbach every two weeks to cultivate his vines. He also takes care of the marketing and has found a partner in the sommelier and wine merchant Daniel Hassert from Winterbach (Remstal friends know him from the “Lamm” in Remshalden-Hebsack). Andi Knauß is responsible for winemaking. (r.knoll)