Mosel, Germany
The term "historical" gets thrown around a lot in the wine world, with families staking claims to generational winemaking sometimes spanning hundreds of years. And while the Klein family have been continuously operating here since 1805, this winery has been in operation since 862AD. Yeah, we felt compelled to add AD to emphasize how absurdly historical this property is. That makes Staffelter Hof not only one of the oldest wineries in history but also one of the oldest companies in continuous operation.
As you can imagine, a winery spanning more than a millenia, has seen some changes throughout its history. Fast forward to 2014, when Jan Klein received organic certification after upending all existing vineyard practices, and you can see a snapshot of the modern wine world. Despite the steep slopes that used to require pesticide-spraying helicopters, all work is now done by hand with maximum effort dedicated to sustainability and vineyard health.
Little Bastard is a rather unique Mosel wine. Jan has affectionately named it as such, as it is a blend of Riesling, Müller, Muscat and... Sauvignon blanc, a rather unusual grape variety in the Mosel Valley. The wine itself has a bold, vibrant bouquet with pronounced notes of ripe apricot and peach, interwoven with hints of citrus zest and a touch of tropical fruit. Floral nuances add a delicate layer of complexity, creating an intriguing fusion of fragrances that captures one’s attention.