Message from Christian Ress November 2013

On Sunday, 13 October 2013, a number of vine lease holders helped us harvest the grapes in Keitum on Sylt in Germany's northernmost vineyard. The quantity was satisfactory; the quality, excellent. The aromas and flavors of new wine exceed all expectations. Frankly, I'm glad to admit that I'm satisfied and relieved.

After all the years of preparation, work, and incredible investments, we now have results. Despite scientific research and meticulous precision, it was a daring move to plant vines on Sylt. Although we never had doubts about our project, we were continually anxious and totally focused on it. The project as a whole is a real viticultural endeavor, not just a marketing gag. After the first positive results, we look forward to the coming years of island viticulture.

Vintage 2013 will be marketed as a "Deutscher Wein" (German wine). As of vintage 2014, we'll press the grapes and make the wine on Sylt. Then the wine will be designated a "Schleswig-Holsteinischer Landwein" (vin de pays from Schleswig-Holstein).

Another reason to celebrate came from one of Germany's largest and most important Internet wine guides, Wein-Plus. We have received four out of five stars and thus, in this guide, we number among the select circle of the ten best wine estates in the Rheingau and among the leading estates of Germany. This is a great confirmation of the path we've chosen to follow since 2009. At that time, we had one of five stars in "wein-plus." Such praise is welcome and spurs us on.