Heymann-Löwenstein

The family behind Heymann-Löwenstein has grown grapes in the Mosel since 1520, making it one of the region's longest-standing viticultural dynasties. The modern estate was established in 1980 when Reinhard Löwenstein, returning after studies in Paris, partnered with his wife Cornelia Heymann-Löwenstein to forge a new direction for Winningen's steep slate vineyards. Reinhard went on to coin the term 'Terrassenmosel' to define the dramatically terraced lower Mosel valley stretching toward Koblenz. Known widely as the 'Rebel of the Moselle,' Reinhard built a reputation for uncompromising quality that helped reshape perceptions of the region. Today, the 14th generation is represented by daughter Sarah Löwenstein, and a 2025 ownership change brought Thomas Dörr in as manager from January 2026.

• Family viticulture documented from 1520; estate formally founded 1980
• Reinhard Löwenstein studied in Paris before returning to establish the estate
• Reinhard coined 'Terrassenmosel' and earned the nickname 'Rebel of the Moselle'
• Sarah Löwenstein (14th generation) currently leads the estate

Heymann-Löwenstein farms 14 hectares of extremely steep, terraced vineyards in Winningen in the Terrassenmosel, the lower section of the Mosel valley near Koblenz. The estate's sites are defined by diverse slate soils: blue slate (Blauen Schiefer), red iron-bearing slate (Roth Lay), and calcareous grey slate (Laubach). Each soil type imparts a distinct mineral signature to the wines. Principal vineyard sites include Kirchberg and Stolzenberg, classified as Grosse Lagen under the VDP hierarchy, along with the single-vineyard crus of Röttgen and the subdivisions of Uhlen (Roth Lay, Laubach, and Blaufüßer Lay). The combination of steep slope exposure and the temperate continental climate of the lower Mosel provides the conditions needed to ripen Riesling fully while preserving vibrant acidity.

• Three distinct slate soil types: Blauen Schiefer, Roth Lay, and Laubach
• Grosse Lagen: Kirchberg and Stolzenberg; single-vineyard crus: Röttgen and Uhlen subdivisions
• Extremely steep terraced vineyards require all work to be done by hand
• Located in Winningen near Koblenz in the lower Mosel (Terrassenmosel)

Heymann-Löwenstein's approach is built on minimal intervention and maximum expression of terroir. Grapes are hand-harvested and fermented spontaneously using only natural yeasts, with no artificial additives permitted at any stage. The wines undergo extended maturation on lees in traditional Mosel Fuder, the 1,000-liter casks that are a hallmark of the region's winemaking heritage. This process builds the dense, powerful, and mineral-driven character that defines the estate's style. The resulting wines are primarily dry, with the slate characteristics of each individual site clearly expressed. The estate also produces sparkling wines, an orange wine, and dessert wines including Auslese and Trockenbeerenauslese. The entry-level Schieferterrassen offers an accessible introduction to the house style, while the Grosse Gewächse and single-vineyard crus represent the estate's finest expressions.

• Spontaneous fermentation with natural yeasts only; no artificial additives
• Extended lees maturation in traditional 1,000-liter Mosel Fuder casks
• Entry-level: Schieferterrassen; top tier: Grosse Gewächse and single-vineyard crus
• Range extends to sparkling, orange wine, Auslese, and Trockenbeerenauslese

Heymann-Löwenstein operates under both organic certification and the Fair'n Green sustainability program, of which Reinhard Löwenstein was a founding member. Fair'n Green is a German wine industry initiative covering environmental, social, and economic sustainability criteria. The estate's commitment to organic viticulture aligns with its broader philosophy of working with nature in the vineyard rather than correcting deficiencies in the cellar. All vineyard work on the extreme slopes is carried out by hand, a necessity given the gradient of the terraces but also a reflection of the estate's quality-first ethos.

• Certified organic and Fair'n Green sustainable viticulture
• Reinhard Löwenstein was a founding member of Fair'n Green
• All vineyard work is hand-performed due to extreme slope gradients
• Sustainability philosophy extends from viticulture through cellar practice