press release of October 13, 2013

After four years, the time was ripe - in the true sense of the word: on 13 October, the first harvest took place in Germany's northernmost "wine village," Keitum on the island of Sylt. The Solaris grapes had reached optimal ripeness. As such, Sylt wine-grower Christian Ress of the Rheingau estate Weingut Balthasar Ress expects a fruity, fresh white wine that will offer locals and visitors alike a lot of fun. Germany's number one gourmet and lifestyle island will soon be able to say "cheers" with its very own wine.

 

The year: 2009. Although Christian Ress's intentions to plant a 0.3 ha (0.7 acre) piece of land in Keitum with wine grapes were serious from the start, his ambitions were initially met with laughter. In 2008, when the Agricultural Ministry of Schleswig-Holstein secured the right to plant some 10 ha (24.7 acres) with vines, the innovative Rheingau grower successfully contracted for a portion thereof and on 22 May 2009, planted 1,100 Solaris grapevines in a site near the 55th degree of latitude north and 8th degree of longitude east. According to Christian Ress: "After extensive studies carried out by the oenological research and teaching institute in Geisenheim/Rheingau with regard to the suitability of the Sylt site for viticulture, we decided to plant Solaris vines, a grape variety that can really thrive and bring forth excellent wines in cool climates. We were quite amazed that the grape performed so well here. The must weights of the grapes are quite promising and we look forward to a wine that will offer the island great pleasure."

 

Vine Lease Holders Acquire First Sylt Wines

 

Some 555 vine lease holders will be the first to enjoy Sylt's premier wine. In recent years they have leased one or more Solaris vines and are therefore entitled to a bottle of Balthasar Ress's Sylt wine. On the harvest day, lease holders from all over Germany were on hand to harvest the grapes for their wine.

If more wine can be bottled than necessary to meet the quota of vine lease holders, these bottles will be sold on the market. And then the island will have another reason to celebrate.

 

For more information:     Weingut Balthasar Ress

                                    Rheinallee 7,

                                    65347 Hattenheim/Eltville

                                    Tel. +49 (0)6723/9195-0, Fax:+49 (0)6723/9195-91

                                    info@balthasar-ress.de, www.balthasar-ress.de

Press information:          Balthasar Ress, Ute Schalberger

                                    Gladbacher Str. 44,

                                    50672 Köln

                                    Tel.: +49 (0)221/58 91 93 93, mobile: 0171/44 21 231

                                    ute.schalberger@balthasar-ress.de