31 Days of German Wine: Producer Profile Dr Bürklin-Wolf Estate, Pfalz
Our first spotlight for 31 Days of German Wine is on a long-standing supplier from Wachenheim in the Pfalz: the historic and highly regarded Dr Bürklin-Wolf estate.
Dating back to 1597, this traditional family-run estate has long been a pioneer in German viticulture. Notably, it was one of the first to introduce a vineyard classification system in Germany, allowing the wines to clearly express the diversity and depth of each terroir. The result is a range of high-quality Rieslings that are both site-specific and characterful.
Located in the southern Pfalz, the region enjoys a warmer climate than Mosel, Rheingau or Nahe, enabling the ripening of a broader range of grape varieties - most importantly, Riesling. The wines here are typically fuller-bodied and more intense, with complex soil types (chalk, clay, sandstone) playing a significant role in shaping their character. The region also has a winemaking heritage that stretches back to Roman times.
In 1990, Bettina Bürklin-von Guradze, daughter of Dr Albert Bürklin, took over the estate and has led with a clear and ambitious vision. Under her leadership, the vineyards were converted to biodynamic farming, achieving Biodyvin certification in 2005 - a first in Germany. This prestigious certification is shared by top growers such as Leflaive and DRC.
Today, Dr Bürklin-Wolf farms 86 hectares of entirely hand-picked, estate-grown vineyards across 15 different single vineyard sites, many classified as Premier and Grand Cru equivalents.
In the cellar, Rieslings are vinified in traditional large oak casks (Stück) from esteemed coopers such as Stockinger (Austria), Mattern (Pfalz), and Assmann (Franconia). These thick-staved barrels, ranging from 600 to 3,000 litres, allow the wines to ferment naturally and rest on their lees to develop complexity and texture.
- The Estate Riesling Trocken (dry) and Hommage à Luise (off-dry) are fermented in a mix of stainless steel and old oak.
- The single-vineyard Premier and Grand Crus are vinified exclusively in large, neutral oak casks.
The philosophy here is clear: to showcase the unique character of each site, with uncompromising attention to detail both in the vineyard and in the cellar. These are masterfully crafted, terroir-driven Rieslings - expressive, elegant, and deeply rooted in tradition.
