Description
This Silvaner is from a special parcel of Dolde’s Linsenhöfer vineyards where the vines grow near a volcanic vent. The volcanic soil is dark, sandy and easily heated but contains many minerals. Due to the volcanic elements, the rock there is mixed with material from a depth of almost thirteen miles. It yields grapes that evoke a lighter, less fruit-forward version of the Silvaner Weißer Jura: salty and mineral, the Chablis of Silvaner.
Region: Swabia
Sub-Region or Appellation: Württemberg
Viticulture: Uncertified by any authority, Helmut Dolde is guided by his dedication to caring for the wild, alpine terroir he wants to preserve for future generations. Helmut eschews the organic movement—because it allows the use of copper sulfates—and focuses instead on leaving the soil in a better condition than he found it. A former scientist, he’s constantly experimenting with synthetics that do less harm and are more biodegradable than treatments allowed under certain organic certifications.
Age of Vines: 15 years old
Soils: Sandy Volcanic Soil
Elevation: 1,000 feet
Yeasts: Indigenous
Vinification: 24 hour cold soak then pressed and fermented in stainless steel for 3-4 weeks. After fermentation the lees are stirred to express minerality and reduce primary aromas.
Aging: Aged 6 months on lees in steel tanks
Fining or Filtering: None
