Alexander Götze and Christoph Wolber make wine in Markgräflerland, the most southerly wine-growing region in Germany. Brought together by a love of Pinot, they founded Wasenhaus in Christoph’s hometown, Staufen, with the desire to produce elegant, terroir-driven wines. Between the Black Forest and France’s Vosges mountains, Alex and Christoph had the opportunity to take over some old parcels of Weißburgunder and Spätburgunder (aka Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir). Some of the parcels were planted as early as 1965 at Ehrenstetter Ölberg and Ehrenkirchener Kirchberg, where the soil is similar to the limestone found in Burgundy; a key ingredient for great Pinot. Others are more scattered, including one plot at the Kaiserstuhl appellation, a bit further from Staufen and planted on volcanic soil. The pair farm 4 hectares of their own, supplemented by purchased grapes which they rely on especially in years of a difficult harvest. Since their very first vintage in 2016 they have focussed on quality over quantity and embraced manual labour in the vineyards, a necessity on the steep slopes in Ölberg, and low intervention in the cellar.
Grand Ordinaire 2023 is made with 100%, whole cluster, Pinot Noir. After carbonic maceration for 12 days it is aged two thirds in stainless steel, a third in barrel, and bottled after 8 months with around 15 mg/l of SO2 added. Strawberry meets red currant juice in this easy-going but refined light red. Drink chilled.