Von Schubert
Summary
The von Schubert family operates the historic 34-hectare Maximin Grünhaus estate in Germany's Ruwer Valley, focusing primarily on Riesling grown on south-facing blue Devonian slate slopes across three distinctive vineyard sites. Their winemaking balances tradition with careful modernization, employing spontaneous fermentation in both 1,000-liter Fuder oak casks and stainless steel tanks, while maintaining sustainable viticulture practices that honor their nearly millennium-long heritage.
Heritage & Leadership
Weingut Maximin Grünhaus stands as one of Germany's most historically significant wine estates, with documented origins dating back to 966 AD when the property was gifted to the Benedictine monastery of St. Maximin in Trier. The estate remained under church ownership for nearly 900 years until secularization in the early 19th century. In 1882, Carl von Schubert purchased the property, establishing what would become a multi-generational family legacy. Today, the estate is led by Dr. Carl von Schubert, who took over management in 1981, representing the fifth generation of family ownership. His son, Maximin von Schubert, joined the estate in 2015 after gaining experience at various wineries worldwide, ensuring continuity for the sixth generation. The estate's name combines references to its patron saint (Maximin) and the historical green house (Grünhaus) that has served as the property's centerpiece for centuries. Under the von Schubert family's stewardship, Maximin Grünhaus has maintained its membership in the VDP (Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter), Germany's association of top wine estates.
Vineyards & Wines
Maximin Grünhaus encompasses 34 hectares of vineyards situated in the Ruwer Valley, a tributary of the Mosel River. The estate's vineyards are divided into three distinct sites, each with its own character: Abtsberg (14 hectares), Herrenberg (19 hectares), and Bruderberg (1 hectare). These south-facing slopes rise from the Ruwer River at elevations between 140 and 270 meters above sea level. The vineyards feature blue Devonian slate soils, which provide excellent drainage and heat retention while imparting distinctive mineral characteristics to the wines. Riesling dominates the plantings, comprising over 90% of the vineyard area, with small parcels dedicated to Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir. Many vines exceed 50 years in age, with some parcels containing vines over 80 years old. The estate produces wines across the traditional Prädikat levels from Kabinett to Trockenbeerenauslese, as well as dry (trocken) and off-dry (feinherb) styles. Each vineyard's wines are bottled with distinctive labels: Abtsberg (blue), Herrenberg (green), and Bruderberg (white), a practice dating back to the 19th century that helps consumers identify the origin of each wine.
Philosophy & Practice
At Maximin Grünhaus, winemaking balances respect for tradition with judicious use of modern techniques. Harvesting is performed by hand, with multiple passes through the vineyards to ensure optimal ripeness for each quality level. After gentle pressing, the must undergoes spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts in a combination of traditional Fuder (1,000-liter oak casks) and stainless steel tanks, depending on the wine style. The estate's Fuder casks are sourced from the Mosel Valley and constructed from oak that imparts minimal flavor, allowing the terroir expression to remain prominent. Fermentation and aging typically occur at cool cellar temperatures, with extended lees contact for many wines to develop complexity. The estate follows sustainable viticulture practices, focusing on soil health through cover crops and natural pest management. Intervention in the cellar is minimized, with filtration kept to the necessary minimum before bottling. This approach reflects the von Schubert family's commitment to allowing each vineyard site to express its distinctive character through wines that balance fruit intensity, structural precision, and aging potential. The estate's philosophy centers on producing site-specific wines that reflect both their historical legacy and the unique conditions of each vintage.