Weingut Odinstal is a Biodynamic winery in Wachenheim an der Weinstrasse, in the Pfalz region of Germany. It is located in Wachenheimer Odinstal which is the highest einzellage (named single vineyard site) in the Pfalz (350 metres). Wachenheimer Odinstal is a monopoly (‘Alleinbesitz’) of Weingut Odinstal. The estate was created by Wachenheim’s mayor in 1802.

Owner: Thomas Hensel purchased Odinstal in 1996, which was already organic (see below).

Staff :Manager–Viticulturist & Oenologist (Betriebsleiter): Andreas Schumann.

Vineyards, Terroir: Odinstal covers a total area of 20 hectares (49 acres), of which 7 hectares (17.3 acres) roughly consists of a mixed forest, and a quarter each consists of orchards and vineyards. The vineyard area totals 5.5 hectares (13.5 acres), located in the Odinstal einzellage (hence the name of the estate). The area is planted with the following white varieties: Riesling, Silvaner, Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois and Gewürztraminer. Soils of basalt (Riesling), Buntsandstein (Riesling) and Muschelkalk (Silvaner).

Organics, Biodynamics: 1989 Went organic. 2006 First trials with Biodynamics. 2008 The Biodynamic work becomes more serious, with Biodynamic preparations being made on site. In 2010 during a visit to the estate on Wednesday 21 April 2010 with Alex Strohschneider from Weingut Dr Bürklin-Wolf fresh teas were being prepared and sprayed directly rather than being made first as concentrates later diluted with water. They are sprayed over the vines so “the whole field” gets the tea. All of the wild plants needed to make the plant-based Biodynamic Preparations (yarrow, chamomile, stinging nettle, oak bark, dandelion and valerian grow at Odinstal but valerian is the weakest, possibly because the “warmth forces” are already strongly present due to the nature of the underlying soil, which is basalt soil. Charollais cows graze the pasture.

Certification: 1992 First vintage with full organic certification. | 2013 First vintage with full Demeter Biodynamic certification.

Winery: The historic cellar building was renovated by owner Thomas Hensel.

Winemaking: No destemming on whites (Demeter Austria 2018).

Sparling wines

NC Riesling Sekt Brut:€32.00 per magnum from the winery in Nov 2008.

Amicus Range: Grapes sourced from neighbouring winegrowers in conversion to organics. | 2007 Auxerrois, Amicus €10.00 from the winery in Nov 2008. 2007 Riesling, Amicus €10.00 from the winery in Nov 2008.

White wines

Wachenheimer Odinstal Auxerrois 350 NN: 2007 Auxerrois.

Wachenheimer Odinstal Riesling 2004 Riesling.

Wachenheimer Odinstal Riesling 120 NN 2015 8 hours on skins. Pressed. Fermented in stainless steel. MLF. 11% alcohol. Vibrant, smooth, green-yellow fruit (Demeter Austria 2018).

Wachenheimer Odinstal Riesling 350 NN: 2006 €25.00 per magnum from the winery in Nov 2008. | 2007 €12.00 per bottle or €32 for a magnum and €66 for a double magnum from the winery in Nov 2008.

Wachenheimer Odinstal Riesling Auslese: 2006 €12.00 per half bottle from the winery in Nov 2008. | 2007 €15.00 per half bottle from the winery in Nov 2008.

Wachenheimer Odinstal Riesling Basalt: 2007 €25.00 per bottle or €58 for a magnum and €118 for a double magnum from the winery in Nov 2008. 2016 12%. Very good, lightly exotic, noticeable salty texture (Demeter Austria 2018).

Wachenheimer Odinstal Riesling Beerenauslese: 2007 €300.00 per half bottle from the winery in Nov 2008.

Wachenheimer Odinstal Riesling Buntsandstein: From the soil type of that name. Poor soil, low yields. South-facing. Planted 1978 and 1983. 2007 €23.00 per bottle or €54 for a magnum and €110 for a double magnum from the winery in Nov 2008. 2015 20hl/ha. 12.5%. Mainly direct pressed (juice), with a small portion fermented on skins to add a blend component with a little structure. Salty yellow peach, very good (Demeter Austria 2018).

Wachenheimer Odinstal Riesling Buntsandstein Natur: 2009 First vintage. 2015 Unpruned vines. Grapes part foot-trodden. Fermented in stainless steel. MLF in amphora (buried in the ground) and barrels. 9 months on skins, stems (Demeter Austria 2018).

Wachenheimer Odinstal, Silvaner: 2005 €8.00 from the winery in Nov 2008. | 2006 €8.00 from the winery in Nov 2008.

Wachenheimer Odinstal Silvaner 350 NN: 2007 €10.00 from the winery in Nov 2008.

Wachenheimer Odinstal Silvaner Muschelkalk: From the soil type of that name. East-facing. 2007 €21.00 from the winery in Nov 2008.

Wachenheimer Odinstal Silvaner Natur 2015 Unpruned vines. Old vines, ripe stems. Press to obtain a slightly cloudy juice. Wild ferment in both old barrels (70%) and amphora (30%). MLF. No added sulfites. Clear soft, wild honeycomb and hops/beer, vibrant (Demeter Austria 2018).

Wachenheimer Odinstal Weissburgunder 350 NN: 2007 €13.00 per bottle, €34 for a magnum and €70 for a double magnum from the winery in Nov 2008. 2015 Their biggest production wine. Wild ferment. MLF. Lovely creamy fruit, ready (Demeter Austria 2018).

Contact

Weingut Odinsta

Odinstalweg

D-67157 Wachenheim an der Weinstrasse, Germany

Tel +49 (0)6322 9495312 | www.odinstal.de