The Vineyards
For a long time, the Thörnicher Ritsch has been one of the great names in the Moselle’s top locations. The individual parcels of this unmistakable elevation – the „Ayers Rock“ of the Moselle – differ significantly. Therefore, each parcel is processed according to its character so that we can fully exploit its potential. In the core of the Thörnicher Ritsch, our premium wines grow. Here, on soft Devonian slate, dense, subtly spicy Rieslings with ethereal, even smoky notes emerge. The southwest-exposed, younger parcels of the Ritsch stand for subtle fruitiness paired with lively minerality. In these areas of the location, our village Rieslings grow.
THE VINEYARD LOCATIONS
THÖRNICHER RITSCH IM SPEYER
Located about 50 meters above the Moselle bridge in Thörnich, the striking terraced vineyard „Im Speyer“ lies. The oldest vines…
THÖRNICHER RITSCH IM HOBERG
Directly above the „Speyer“, this part of the vineyard was practically created anew in the land consolidation of 2015/16. The southern area…
THÖRNICHER RITSCH IM BÜSCHWINGERT
Located in the upper part of the Ritsch on the „Büsch“ (dialect: forest). Guarantee for light Kabinett wines with intense minerality.
THÖRNICHER RITSCH IN DER MUHL
One of the most popular parts of the Thörnicher winemakers. South-facing exposure, relatively strong soil…
THÖRNICHER RITSCH SCHNEIDERSBERG
The steepest section in the Thörnicher Ritsch. Every winemaker in the village immediately recognizes the „Schneidersberg aroma,“ a subtle…
KLÜSSERATHER BRUDERSCHAFT
Adjacent to the Thörnicher Ritsch, in the Klüsserather Bruderschaft, there is a quite deep-seated slate, also south-facing.…
We are particularly proud of the extraordinary wines from the Thörnicher Ritsch location. In recent years, we have already achieved the classification as a „Große Gewächs“ (Grand Cru) location. Now, together with our colleagues in the Thörnicher Ritsch, we want to bring back the reputation to where it stood at its best: to the absolute top of the Moselle, following the motto: „be Ritsch!“
„The appreciation of the vineyard is fundamental to me. To smell it, to taste it, to feel it. I deal with the character of each individual parcel and respond to it individually.„
Thomas Ludwig
THÖRNICHER RITSCH
IM SPEYER
Located about 50 meters above the Moselle bridge in Thörnich, the striking terraced vineyard „Im Speyer“ lies. The oldest vines of the winery produce the densest and most impressive wines.
Orientation: South
Slope: approx. 70%
Vines: approx. 80-100-year-old Riesling, ungrafted
Soil: Slate rock with low water retention.
Special feature: In the upper part of the vineyard, by the path, there is the famous viewpoint with a great view of the Moselle loop between Pölich and Trittenheim. The lower part is an ancient terraced location with intense sunlight exposure and vines up to 100 years old.
Location quality: Premium location
Wines: unique expression of slate components in the wines. Density, fullness, long finish. balsamic notes
Potential: GG, terraces, Auslese.
THÖRNICHER RITSCH
IM HOBERG
Directly above the „Speyer“, this part of the vineyard was practically created anew in the land consolidation of 2015/16. The southern area previously consisted of rock and forest. Through a new path, this viticulturally prime piece was newly opened up and logically planted with absolute quality vines in 2016. Interestingly, under the left part of this vineyard is red slate, under the right part is gray slate interspersed with quartzite. The coming years will reveal much about the expected high potential of this vineyard.
Orientation: South
Elevation: approx. 220-260m
Vines: 2016 planted Geisenheimer
quality clones
Soil: partly red, partly stone interspersed gray slate
THÖRNICHER RITSCH
IM BÜSCHWINGERT
Located in the upper part of the Ritsch on the „Büsch“ (dialect: forest). Guarantee for light Kabinett wines with intense minerality.
Orientation: South
Slope: between 45 and 60%
Vines: New planting in the land consolidation of 2016. Here, small-berried, loosely-berried Rieslings were planted, which can fully ripen without rotting.
Soil: Slate with a relatively high proportion of soil.
Location quality: Good to very good location.
Wines: Light character with unmistakable aromas of red fruits. Our vineyard for Kabinett and off-dry Riesling.
THÖRNICHER RITSCH
IN DER MUHL
One of the most popular parts of the Thörnicher winemakers. South-facing exposure, relatively strong soil, and good manageability with best qualities.
Orientation: South
Slope: approx. 50%
Vines: 2017 planted young Riesling vines. Special selection for the production of high-quality steep slope Rieslings
Soil: At the foot of the mountain is slate with a bit more fine earth content, but partly also the well-known rocky subsoil.
Special feature: impressively long row of 200 vines per row. In the lower parts, mechanical development by a gantry crane.
Location quality: very good, can particularly move towards concentrated sweet wines
Location potential: single vineyard wines and sweet wines of all categories. Full, strong, Rieslings with balsamic notes and subtly spicy aromas. Great length, great potential.
THÖRNICHER RITSCH
SCHNEIDERSBERG
The steepest section in the Thörnicher Ritsch. Every winemaker in the village immediately recognizes the „Schneidersberg aroma,“ a subtle fruitiness with tropical nuances. Walkable vineyard house of the Ludwig winery.
Orientation: South-southwest
Slope: 75 % steep!
Vines: approx. 30-year-old Riesling
Soil: Stony slate with rocky subsoil.
Special feature: The grapes grow in a so-called „Trier wheel.“ This allows for longer ripening and even stronger aromatic concentration.
Location quality: Good to very good location
Location potential: Rather lighter wines characterized by distinctive aromatics.
KLÜSSERATHER
BRUDERSCHAFT
Adjacent to the Thörnicher Ritsch, in the Klüsserather Bruderschaft, there is a quite deep-seated slate, also south-facing.
Orientation: South
Slope: approx. 50%
Vines: approx. 45-year-old Riesling
Soil: Deep-seated slate with larger fine earth content.
Special feature: The first steep slope parcel converted to trellis system, which led to significant quality improvements in this area.
Location potential: Very good location
Wines: High sugar contents of the musts often allow for intensely fruity sweet wines in the range of dense Spätlese, Auslese, etc.
Spätlese, Auslese, TBA, single vineyard wine Bruderschaft
„ACROSS THE BOARD, CRYSTAL CLEAR AND CRYSTALLINE RIESLINGS, THEY ARE AMONG THE BEST DRY WINES OF THE MOSELLE.“ Niko Rechenberg, gourmet journalist from Berlin