Weingut Bretz 　W-H01-13

国名 / Country：Germany/ドイツ

出展分野 / Product Category：Wines / ワイン、

出展者プロフィール / Exhibitor Outline：Weingut Bretz is a family-owned winery with a history dating back to 1721, recently celebrating its 300th anniversary. Over the course of ten generations, the Bretz family has continuously developed the estate and successfully passed on its passion for wine. Today, the winery is run by Horst, Heike and Harald Bretz, representing the ninth generation.
Since 2018, the next generation has also been actively involved: Victoria Bretz, after studying viticulture and oenology in Geisenheim and completing internships at various wineries, has joined the family business. With her own wine line, she focuses on Germany’s flagship varieties Riesling and Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder), vinified in tonneaux. Going forward, the estate intends to place an even stronger emphasis on ageing wines in tonneaux and traditional large, old wooden barrels. Since 2024, her brother Valentin Bretz, a qualified viticulture technician, has also joined the family estate.
The vineyards are located on and around the Bechtolsheimer Petersberg, one of the highest elevations in Rheinhessen. The soils are characterised by loam and loess with a high limestone content; fossilised shells from the ancient primeval sea can still be found in the vineyards today. Thanks to the exposed hillside locations, the vines benefit from abundant sunlight, contributing to ripe, expressive fruit.
Low yields are a key factor in ensuring the juiciness and intensity of the wines. Crop reduction is achieved through careful pruning and green harvesting, combined with extended ripening periods. Selected varieties undergo skin contact, while the Réserve wines are defined by ageing in wooden barrels. In contrast, the fresh, fruit-driven everyday wines are vinified in stainless steel and are meant to be approachable and enjoyable.
Burgundy varieties play a central role in the portfolio and are perfectly suited to Bechtolsheim. In addition, international grape varieties have long been part of the estate’s identity: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc have been cultivated for over 25 years. The winery now works with more than 800 barriques and tonneaux for red wine ageing. Sweet wines are also an important focus, ranging from Beerenauslese and Eiswein to Trockenbeerenauslese, with particular attention paid to the balance between sweetness and acidity.
A new corporate design has been introduced recently, and the Bretz family is currently constructing a new winery building outside Bechtolsheim, including a modern production facility and a wine bar.
In 2020/2021, Weingut Bretz was awarded “Winemaker of the Year” by the DLG for the second time, following an earlier recognition in 2013/2014. Victoria was awarded as "Young Winemaker of the Year 2025" by Gourmetwelten and the winery was rated with 4 grapes in the HENRIS weinguide (Gault&Millau) 2026.