The "Wein und Sektgut F.B. Schönleber" is located in the municipality of Oestrich-Winkel in the German
Rheingau wine growing region. It can look back on a tradition of over 200 years. Old documents document the family's viticulture until 1783. Franz and Katharina Schönleber took over the business in 1965, today it is managed by their two sons Ralf (field manager) and Bernd Schönleber (cellar master). A wine tavern with hotel is attached. The vineyards comprise ten hectares of vineyards in the locations Edelmann and
St. Nikolaus (Mittelheim),
Doosberg, Klosterberg and
Lenchen (Oestrich),
Hasensprung (Winkel), Sandgrube (Kiedrich), as well as Honigberg and
Steinmorgen (Erbach). For the most part, these are
first growths from which the premium wines originate. It is cultivated to 94% Riesling, as well as Spätburgunder. The vineyards are cultivated in an environmentally friendly way. Every second row of vines is greened all year round and large quantities of
compost are used for fertilization. The grapes are only harvested when they are fully ripe. The harvest extends over several weeks from mid-October. Each vineyard is selected several times until it is completely harvested. Great importance is attached to the careful development of the wines. The grapes are gently pressed and fermentation takes place in cooled stainless steel containers over four to eight weeks. After fermentation, the wine matures for some time on the
fine yeast. Since the early 1990s, bottle-fermented sparkling wines have also been produced.
