Julian Haart
Summary
Julian Haart operates a deliberately small 2.5-hectare winery in Germany's Mosel region, focusing almost exclusively on Riesling from steep, slate-rich vineyards including Piesporter Goldtröpfchen, Wintricher Ohligsberg, and Piesporter Schubertslay. His winemaking approach combines traditional methods learned during apprenticeships with Klaus Peter Keller and Egon Müller with minimal intervention techniques, quickly establishing him as one of the region's most promising new producers since founding his estate in 2010.
Heritage & Leadership
Julian Haart established his eponymous winery in 2010 in the Mosel region of Germany, following a deliberate path of apprenticeships with some of Germany's most respected vintners. Before launching his own project, Haart gained valuable experience working with Klaus Peter Keller in Rheinhessen and Egon Müller in the Saar, two winemakers known for their precision and traditional approaches. Though relatively new as an independent producer, Haart comes from a family with deep viticultural roots in the region—his great-grandfather was a winegrower in Piesport, connecting him to the fifth generation of winemakers in his family.
The winery remains intentionally small, with Julian and his wife Nadine managing all aspects of production. Based in Piesport, Haart has maintained a focused approach since inception, deliberately keeping production limited to allow for meticulous attention in both vineyard and cellar. This small-scale operation reflects Haart's commitment to quality over quantity, with total holdings of approximately 2.5 hectares across several sites.
Vineyards & Wines
Julian Haart's vineyard holdings, though modest in size, include parcels in some of the Mosel's most distinguished sites. His portfolio centers on three primary vineyards: Piesporter Goldtröpfchen, Wintricher Ohligsberg, and Piesporter Schubertslay. The Goldtröpfchen vineyard, with its south-facing exposure and blue slate soils, represents one of the Mosel's grand cru sites. Wintricher Ohligsberg offers different terroir characteristics with its red slate composition, while the Piesporter Schubertslay contains old, ungrafted vines that produce particularly concentrated fruit.
Riesling dominates Haart's production, comprising nearly all of his plantings. Many of his vineyard parcels feature steep slopes characteristic of the Middle Mosel, with some reaching inclinations of over 60 degrees, necessitating entirely manual viticulture. The combination of slate soils, favorable exposures, and old vines (some exceeding 80 years) provides the foundation for Haart's wine program. His portfolio typically includes dry (trocken), off-dry (feinherb), and sweeter prädikat wines, all showcasing the distinctive mineral character of their respective sites.
Philosophy & Practice
Haart's winemaking philosophy emphasizes minimal intervention to express vineyard character with clarity. In the vineyards, he practices labor-intensive hand cultivation, with particular attention to canopy management and yield restriction. Harvest is conducted through multiple passes through the vineyards to ensure optimal ripeness for each wine style.
In the cellar, Haart employs traditional Mosel winemaking techniques. Fermentations occur primarily with ambient yeasts in a combination of old oak Fuder and stainless steel tanks, depending on the wine. For his top wines, Haart typically uses neutral 1,000-liter Fuder, allowing for slow, cool fermentations that preserve aromatic complexity. Aging occurs on fine lees, with the duration varying by wine type and vintage conditions.
Haart's approach to winemaking balances respect for tradition with practical considerations. He avoids fining when possible and keeps filtration minimal. Sulfur use is moderate and carefully timed. This methodical approach extends to his production decisions, where Haart adjusts his portfolio annually based on vintage conditions rather than forcing production of every wine style each year. This flexibility, combined with attentive vineyard work and careful cellar practices, reflects Haart's commitment to translating Mosel terroir into wines of precision and character.