Weingut Willi Schaefer

The Schaefer family connection to the Graach vineyards stretches back further than most European wine estates. Family involvement is documented to 1590, with roots that may extend as far as 1121. The current winery came into the Schaefer family in 1950, and Willi Schaefer took over winemaking responsibilities in 1971, steadily building a world-class reputation from a remarkably small parcel of land. In 2015, the next generation arrived when Christoph and Andrea Schaefer assumed control, continuing the estate's exacting standards without disruption.

• Documented family presence in Graach vineyards since 1590
• Winery in Schaefer hands since 1950; Willi became winemaker in 1971
• Christoph and Andrea Schaefer took over in 2015
• Awarded Newcomer of the Year by Gault Millau wine guide in 1997

The estate's 4.2 to 4.5 hectares are divided principally between two of Graach's premier sites: Graacher Domprobst and Graacher Himmelreich, with a small parcel in Wehlener Sonnenuhr. Both Grosse Lagen sit on Devonian slate and clayey slate soils, and a south-to-southwest exposition ensures optimal sun exposure in this cool Mosel climate. The two vineyard characters diverge markedly: Domprobst parcels produce wines of mineral, smoky complexity, while Himmelreich tends toward floral, fruit-driven expression. A portion of the estate is planted with ungrafted vines, some over a century old.

• Soils are Devonian slate and clayey slate throughout
• South-to-southwest exposition maximises ripening in the cool Mosel climate
• Domprobst: mineral, smoky, complex; Himmelreich: floral and fruit-driven
• Ancient ungrafted vines, some exceeding 100 years, remain in production

Willi Schaefer built the estate's reputation on a philosophy of minimal intervention and sensory-led decision-making. Fermentation relies on native yeasts rather than inoculated commercial strains, and wines develop in traditional 1000-litre German fuders. No analysis or technology drives the winemaking process; taste guides every decision. The result is a range of approximately 15 bottlings each vintage, almost entirely Riesling expressed across Kabinett, Spätlese, and Auslese levels, all defined by high acidity and pronounced mineral character.

• Native yeast fermentation in old 1000-litre German fuders
• Decisions made by taste, not technical analysis
• Low-intervention approach across all approximately 15 annual bottlings
• Styles range from Kabinett through to Auslese, all high-acid and mineral

Despite producing roughly 2000 cases per year, Weingut Willi Schaefer distributes to approximately 30 countries. The estate holds VDP.Estate membership since 1993 and Grosse Lage status for both its primary vineyard sites. Recognition from Gault Millau as Newcomer of the Year in 1997 helped introduce the estate to an international audience, and demand for its wines consistently outstrips supply.

• VDP.Estate member since 1993 with two Grosse Lagen designations
• Only around 2000 cases produced annually despite worldwide distribution
• Wines reach approximately 30 countries globally
• Gault Millau Newcomer of the Year award in 1997 raised international profile