Weingut Van Volxem

The foundations of Weingut Van Volxem rest, quite literally, on the remains of a Roman villa, with visible archaeological remnants on the estate. Viticulture here dates to the 3rd century, rediscovered by monks in the 11th century and later operated as a Jesuit monastery winery from the 16th through 18th centuries. The Van Volxem family acquired the estate in the mid-18th century, building its prestige through the late 19th and early 20th centuries. After four generations of family ownership, Roman Niewodniczanski purchased the estate in 2000 and began a sweeping revival that has returned Van Volxem to the top tier of German wine production.

• Roman viticulture dates to the 3rd century on this site
• Operated as a Jesuit monastery winery from the 16th to 18th century
• Van Volxem family ownership from the mid-18th century through 2000
• Roman Niewodniczanski purchased the estate in 2000 and initiated its modern revival

The estate spans 80-90 hectares across multiple communes including Wiltingen, Ockfen, Wawern, Saarburg, Kanzem, Ayl, Mehring, Wehlen, Zeltingen, and Graach. Vineyards sit 50-100 meters above the Mosel Valley peaks on south-facing slopes, maximising sunlight in this cool climate. Soils are Devonian slate in red, grey, and weathered varieties, the classic substrate for great Saar Riesling. Biodynamic and organic viticulture is practised throughout, with low average yields of 40 hl/ha. The vine age profile is remarkable, averaging 35 years with some ungrafted vines surpassing 130 years old.

• South-facing Devonian slate slopes across ten communes in the Saar
• Average vine age of 35 years; some ungrafted vines exceed 130 years
• Biodynamic and organic viticulture with yields averaging 40 hl/ha
• Elevations 50-100 meters above Mosel Valley peaks ensure maximum sun exposure

Van Volxem holds VDP.Estate membership, the top tier of the Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter classification system. The estate's VDP.GROSSE LAGE vineyards represent the German equivalent of grand cru, and Van Volxem holds parcels in some of the Saar's most celebrated sites: Scharzhofberger, Gottesfuss, Volz, Goldberg, and Bockstein. These vineyard designations carry strict production rules and represent the pinnacle of the estate's single-vineyard range.

• VDP.Estate member, the top level of the VDP classification hierarchy
• VDP.GROSSE LAGE sites include Scharzhofberger, Gottesfuss, Volz, Goldberg, and Bockstein
• GROSSE LAGE is the German equivalent of grand cru under VDP rules
• Estate manager Dominik Völk has led operations since 2004

Van Volxem produces between 300,000 and 600,000 bottles annually, with a focus firmly on dry and off-dry mineral Rieslings of low alcohol. Spontaneous fermentation using native yeasts is standard practice, and no fining agents are used. Riesling accounts for 93% of plantings, with Pinot Blanc (Weißburgunder), Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder) making up the remainder. The estate also produces Sekt. A purpose-built modern winery facility was completed in 2019 on the Wiltinger Schlossberg, providing state-of-the-art infrastructure for the estate's ambitious quality programme.

• Spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts; no fining agents used
• 93% Riesling with Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir also produced
• Focus on dry and off-dry styles with low alcohol content
• New winery facility completed in 2019 on Wiltinger Schlossberg