Salwey

The vineyards are in Oberrotweil, on the slopes of the Kaiserstuhl and in the Glottertal, a valley in the Black Forest about 30km away. The reputatation of the estate was established by his father, Wolfdietrich, who improved quality over four decades and helped establish Baden as the home of quality Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir). He was also instrumental in establishing VDP Baden, the organisation of top estates. Konrad has three grand cru vineyards around Oberrotweil and 41 hectares in total on the loess and weathered volcanic soils which bring a lovely mineral character to all the wines alongside the ripeness achieved in this very sunny and dry region, in close to Mediterranean conditions. Harvesting is selective and by hand, and natural fermentations, always to dryness, take place in large oak barrels from locally sourced oak. He employs a policy of minimal intervention which means that the wines are neither fined nor filtered. These are full and characterful wines to which Konrad is adding ever greater degrees of finesse.