About
The traditional winery in the municipality of Oberhausen is located in the German Nahe wine region. The first records of the Dönnhoff family date back to 1761. The family chronicle documents in detail early grape blossoming (1781) and a rich grape harvest (1784). Already the grandfather Herrmann Dönnhoff Senior (1880-1953) had a great passion for Riesling and paid great attention to winemaking and the acquisition of the best sites in the area. His son Hermann Dönnhoff Junior (1916-1991) continued this tradition. When Helmut Dönnhoff vinified his first vintage in 1971 at the age of 22, the business had already transformed into a pure winery. His saying "My vineyards are like my children" illustrates how much importance is attached to meticulous vineyard work. After his training and various stays abroad, the business is now managed in the fourth generation by Cornelius Dönnhoff.
The vineyards comprise 28 hectares of vineyards in the individual locations Kahlenberg, Krötenpfuhl,(Bad Kreuznach), Hermannshöhle and Klamm (Niederhausen), Dellchen and Kirschheck (Norheim), Brücke in sole possession and Leistenberg (Oberhausen), Höllenpfad (Roxheim) as well as Felsenberg (Schloßböckelheim). They are 80% Riesling and 10% eachPinot Gris and PinotBlanc, some of which are 65 years old. The environmentally friendly and sustainable cultivation of the vineyards, production and sales are carried out according to the certified rules of the Fair'n Green association.
The wines are marketed according to the VDP classification model in the lines estate wines, site wines and great wines. The fermentation takes place partly spontaneously in stainless steel tanks with yeasts from the vineyards. The wines are then aged in traditional old large wooden barrels made of German oak. In years with suitable weather conditions, ice wines are also pressed. About 180,000 bottles of wine are produced annually. The winery is a member of the VDP (Verband deutscher Prädikatsweingüter).
