Clemens Busch
Summary
Clemens Busch is a family-owned, 16-hectare VDP estate in Pünderich on the Middle Mosel, specializing in terroir-expressive Rieslings from steep, slate-diverse vineyards in the Marienburg site. Their wines reflect distinct slate types through color-coded, parcel-specific bottlings, produced using biodynamic viticulture and minimal-intervention winemaking with spontaneous fermentations in traditional fuders and extended lees aging.
Heritage & Leadership
Clemens Busch operates from a family estate established in 1802 in the village of Pünderich on the Middle Mosel. While the property has been in the family for generations, the current iteration began in 1984 when Clemens and his wife Rita took over management from his parents. This transition marked a significant shift in approach, as they immediately converted to organic viticulture—a pioneering decision in the Mosel region at that time. The estate is now run as a family enterprise with Clemens and Rita working alongside their son Johannes, who has gradually integrated into the operation to ensure continuity of their distinctive winemaking philosophy. Their work has earned them membership in the VDP (Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter), Germany's association of top wine estates. From their historic building in Pünderich, the family has systematically built a reputation for site-specific Rieslings that express the diverse slate soils of their vineyards.
Vineyards & Wines
The Busch estate encompasses 16 hectares of vineyards, with 99% planted to Riesling. Their holdings are primarily concentrated in the Pündericher Marienburg, a steep, south-facing vineyard that curves around the Mosel River opposite the village of Pünderich. This site is divided into distinct parcels with varying soil compositions and microclimates, which the Busches bottle separately to highlight these differences. Key parcels include Fahrlay (blue slate), Falkenlay (grey slate), Rothenpfad (red slate), and the Felsterrasse (mixed slate). The vineyards rise from the Mosel at approximately 110 meters to 250 meters above sea level, with slopes reaching 60-70% inclines in some sections. Many parcels contain old vines, some exceeding 80 years of age, which contribute to the concentration and complexity of the wines. The Busch portfolio is structured according to soil type rather than traditional Prädikat designations, with labels color-coded to indicate the dominant slate in each vineyard: grey, red, or blue. Their wines range from bone-dry (GG or Grosses Gewächs) to fruity and noble sweet selections, all expressing the mineral character of their terroir.
Philosophy & Practice
Clemens Busch committed to organic farming methods in 1984, eventually achieving Demeter biodynamic certification in 2005—making them one of the earliest adopters of these practices in the Mosel. Their approach centers on minimal intervention, allowing natural processes to guide both vineyard and cellar work. In the vineyards, they maintain biodiversity through cover crops, avoid synthetic treatments, and harvest exclusively by hand. The steep slopes necessitate labor-intensive manual work throughout the growing season. In the cellar, fermentations occur spontaneously with indigenous yeasts in traditional large oak fuders (1000-3000 liter capacity) and stainless steel tanks. The wines typically undergo extended aging on the lees, often for 12 months or longer, developing texture and complexity before bottling with minimal filtration and sulfur additions. Their winemaking philosophy emphasizes the expression of site, with particular attention to the different slate compositions in their vineyards. This focus on soil-specific bottlings represents an alternative approach to the traditional Prädikat system, prioritizing terroir expression over ripeness levels. The Busches also practice sustainable energy use in their operations, including solar power generation at their winery facility.