Egon Muller
Summary
Egon Müller, a sixth-generation family estate operating since 1797 from the Scharzhof property in Germany's Saar valley, manages 8.3 hectares of steep, slate-soil Riesling vineyards, primarily in the Scharzhofberger site where 50-year-old vines grow on south-facing slopes. The estate produces wines across all Prädikat levels through traditional methods including multiple-pass hand harvesting and fermentation in old oak fuders, with their noble sweet wines from botrytized grapes representing some of Germany's most significant Riesling expressions.
Heritage & Leadership
The Egon Müller estate in Germany's Mosel region traces its origins to 1797, when Jean-Jacques Koch acquired the Scharzhof estate through an auction of church properties during the French Revolution. The property entered the Müller family through marriage in 1803. The estate has remained under continuous family ownership for six generations, with Egon Müller IV assuming leadership in 1991. The winery holds founding member status in the prestigious VDP (Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter), dating back to the organization's predecessor VDNV's establishment in 1910.
Vineyards & Wines
The estate's holdings center on the Scharzhofberger vineyard in Wiltingen, encompassing 8.3 hectares of south-facing slopes along the Saar River. The vineyard's distinctive blue Devonian slate soils and steep gradients ranging from 30% to 60% create optimal conditions for Riesling cultivation. The estate focuses exclusively on Riesling production, with vines averaging 50 years of age. The Scharzhofberger vineyard sits at elevations between 180-280 meters above sea level, benefiting from excellent air drainage and maximum sun exposure.
Philosophy & Practice
The estate's winemaking approach focuses on preserving the natural expression of the Scharzhofberger terroir. Harvest is conducted entirely by hand, with multiple passes through the vineyard to select grapes at optimal ripeness levels. Fermentation takes place in traditional old oak fuders. The estate produces wines across the traditional Prädikat levels, from Kabinett to Trockenbeerenauslese, with particular emphasis on noble sweet wines from botrytized grapes.