Kunstler
Summary
Weingut Franz Künstler is a family-owned estate in Hochheim am Main in Germany's eastern Rheingau, encompassing 42 hectares of predominantly Riesling vineyards planted on loess, loam, limestone, and clay soils that benefit from favorable sun exposure. The estate, led by Gunter Künstler since 1992, practices sustainable farming with Fair'n Green certification, employing selective hand-harvesting and traditional winemaking techniques that balance modern technology with time-honored methods to produce terroir-expressive wines, particularly from their VDP Grosse Lage sites.
Heritage & Leadership
Weingut Franz Künstler was established in 1965 when Franz Künstler relocated to Hochheim am Main in the Rheingau region. The Künstler family originally cultivated vines in Südmähren (South Moravia, now part of the Czech Republic) before being forced to leave after World War II. After settling in Hochheim, Franz built the estate from the ground up, focusing primarily on Riesling production.
In 1992, Franz's son Gunter Künstler assumed leadership of the winery, bringing formal winemaking education and experience gained in the Rheingau, Baden, and South Africa. Under Gunter's direction, the estate gained membership in the prestigious VDP (Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter) in 1994, marking a significant milestone in the winery's development. The estate remains family-owned and operated, with Gunter continuing to oversee all aspects of production.
Vineyards & Wines
Weingut Künstler manages approximately 42 hectares of vineyards, predominantly in Hochheim am Main, at the eastern edge of the Rheingau where the Main River meets the Rhine. The estate's holdings include parcels in several classified VDP.Grosse Lage (Grand Cru) vineyards: Hochheimer Kirchenstück, Hochheimer Hölle, Hochheimer Stielweg, and Hochheimer Domdechaney.
The vineyard soils vary by site but typically feature combinations of loess, loam, limestone, and clay, providing excellent drainage and mineral content. These soil conditions, coupled with the region's moderate climate and optimal sun exposure, create ideal growing conditions for Riesling, which comprises 85% of the estate's plantings. The remaining area is dedicated to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris.
The vineyards are planted at densities of 5,000-6,000 vines per hectare, with many parcels featuring vines over 25 years old. Yields are deliberately kept low, averaging 45 hectoliters per hectare for the premium wines, to ensure concentration and quality.
Philosophy & Practice
Gunter Künstler employs a vineyard-focused approach, maintaining that exceptional wines begin with meticulous viticulture. The estate adheres to sustainable farming practices and holds certification from Fair'n Green, a German sustainability program that requires annual audits and continuous improvement in environmental practices.
In the vineyard, work is predominantly manual, including selective hand-harvesting conducted in multiple passes to ensure optimal ripeness. Künstler practices green harvesting when necessary and maintains low yields through careful canopy management and pruning.
The winemaking process combines traditional methods with modern technology. After gentle pressing, the must undergoes temperature-controlled fermentation in either stainless steel tanks or traditional large oak casks (Stückfass), depending on the wine. The estate's dry Rieslings typically ferment at cooler temperatures (16-18°C) to preserve aromatic complexity, while red wines and some fuller-bodied white wines ferment at slightly higher temperatures.
The estate's top-tier Grosse Gewächs (GG) Rieslings receive extended lees contact, typically 6-8 months, adding textural complexity while maintaining varietal purity. Künstler's approach to oak is measured and site-specific, with some wines seeing no oak influence while others, particularly Pinot Noir and select Chardonnays, mature in French oak barrels.