WASSMANN ORGANIC WINE ESTATE

Our south-facing vineyards lie within the boundaries of Siklós in the Villány wine-region, the southernmost Hungarian wine-growing area and the most significant one to produce red wine in the country.

The cellar is situated in Pécsdevecser, a small village about 15 km north of Villány itself. We founded our wine-estate in 2002 and have been running it together since then. (We = Ralf Waßmann, who studied beverage sciences in Geisenheim (Germany) and Susann Hanauer, who was a lawyer).

Our vineyards cover two hectares, planted with Olaszriszling (Welschriesling in German) and Chardonnay for white wine and Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Kékfrankos (Lemberger or Blaufränkisch in German), Portugieser and Merlot for red. All our wines have Hungarian certification that guarantees origin and quality: ‘Districtus Hungaricus Controllatus Villány’ (DHC Villány).

In 2003 our business became the first one in Villány to be recognised as organic wine growers, according to the EU guidelines for ecological agriculture. Since 2006 this certification by Biokontroll Hungaria (HU-Ö KO-01) includes not only our grape production, but also regulations for the preparation of organic wine.

We have had DEMETER certification since 2011.

We cultivate our vines organically without any biocides or artificial fertilizers. So-called pests are seen as natural food for helpful creatures like ladybirds, earwigs, lizards and birds. By sowing and encouraging other plants to grow we ensure there is enough room for all. Our vineyards are biotopes in natural equilibrium. We also foster this through the use of biodynamic preparates.

Since 2010 we have been advising other wine growers seeking to go organic.

With the exception of a small machine for removing grapes from the vine, we avoid the use of technology in the cellar. According to the type of wine, we mature the wines in steel tanks, traditional wooden barrels or used barriques.

Critics are always praising the naturalness of our wines. We do not overdo the alcohol content or the use of barriques. Our customers also love WASSMANN wines because it is their elegant charm rather than their raw strength that is attractive.

The many wine lovers in search of individual, natural and even exciting wines are not disappointed.

References and links:

www.wein-plus.eu classification

Stuart Pigott awards our wines PPP, PPPP , (possibly PPPPP).