Jan Klein
Mosel, Germany
Probably one of the oldest wineries in Germany, seeing as Weingut Staffelterhof exists for over a thousand years. The Klein family has been making wine for over 100 years here in the Mosel area themselves. Nowadays it’s Gerd and Gundi Klein that, together with their son Jan, tend to this winery. The estate is situated in the beautiful landscape of the Mosel valley and its steep gradients. The main grape variety here obviously being Riesling. The Klein family owns 7 hectares of vineyards spread around the villages of Kröv, Dhron and Piesport. About 75% of their yields is Riesling, however they also produce some Muller Thurgau, Kerner and Spätburgunder. The specialties of the family are refined and concentrated Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese and Eiswein.
While Gundi tends to the guestrooms and makes sure every guest feels welcome at the Staffelterhof, Gerd maintains the vines as to ensure every harvest is a success. Son Jan however, started making his own wines since a few years, 100% wild and natural.
Jan started experimenting with the production of natural wines through their most beloved Riesling variety. Having acquired experience in multiple wineries throughout the world, from New Zealand to France, Jan has much knowledge to offer on how to run the 1150 year old winery of his family. He uses no sulphites throughout the entire winemaking process, making use of spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts. Needless to say all his grapes are organically farmed.
It all started with just Madcap Magnus and Little Bastard. However, over the past years Jan kept on making more wines, so every year he gives us a new, wild surprise.
The Staffelterhof nowadays became famous for being 100% regenerative, having solar panels, water sources and pumps but mostly for planting many new vineyards full of hybrid grape varieties, according to Jan, the future. Something to look out for, they are prepared!
Jan Klein
