 |
 |
|
|
 |
 
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
HISTORY OF KONZELMANN ESTATE WINERY
~ GERMANY 1893
Near the turn of the 19th century, Friedrich Konzelmann of Uhlbach, from a town near Stuttgart, in Wuerttemberg, Germany, founded Konzelmann Estate Winery. He was a restaurateur and was well known for his humour and foresight. He was an expert in food and wine and a man full of many ideas who was not afraid to try new things. Friedrich started his entrepreneurship as a home winemaker, making wines for himself and for his restaurants. The wines themselves where excellent and demand for them lead Friedrich to expand his operations. First using the cellars of the local minister and the city hall in Uhlbach to store wines, and then, in 1893, to establish a full-scale winery, Konzelmann Estate Winery.
Soon Friedrich was producing 200,000 Litres of high-quality wine, storing in his own wine cellars 30 feet underground, and the Konzelmann tradition was launched.
~ CANADA 1984
Friedrich's great grandson, Herbert Konzelmann continues the family tradition of fine wine making, 100 years later and a continent away in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Herbert joined the winery still located in Stuttgart, Germany in 1958. The business grew to a capacity of 380,000 Litres. All was well but grapes were becoming harder to obtain and growers were ageing with their sons not continuing their businesses. Land was converted to residential, meeting the needs of a growing population, and therefore was becoming very expensive and hard to obtain in large acreage parcels. Planning started in the early 1980's to relocate to Canada.
Herbert chose the site on the shores of Lake Ontario because of the micro-climate, where the wonderful balance of sun, soil, airflow and moisture conditions are ideal for the production of premium quality wines.
The protection provided by the nearby Niagara Escarpment, combined with the moderating influence of the lake, provides a longer growing period for the "noble" Vitis Vinifera vines of Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Chardonnay grapes.
The cool-climate viticulture conditions are often enhanced by an "Indian summer", a warming in autumn which allows for a later harvest, therefore creating a fine acid balance and natural sugar content in the grape. Also, with morning dew that settles on the grapes on his Lakeshore vineyards gives his wines a uniquely delicate and fruity character, comparable to those of the Alsace region of France. This positive climate produces grapes with a more constant Brix, or sugar level, a very positive attribute to Ontario.
Herbert continues the inspiration and sense of adventure of their founding forefather Winemaker Friedrich. He plants new varieties and experiments to produce new wines and continuously improves quality in all vintages. His introduction of Vertical Vine Training to the region, a better method allowing the wind and sun to draw moisture from the fruit, increasing sugar content and intensity of flavour, while maintaining the delicate balance of acid that gives wine its freshness, was encouraging to the industry.
Grapes used to make white wines are given a long, cool fermentation under temperature- controlled conditions in "Rieger" stainless steel tanks. Red grapes are fermented using a sophisticated 'Vino Top Fermentor' method for softer, velvety red wines. Konzelmann Estate Winery now offers more than 30 different VQA selections of wine, a production of 40,000 cases, and has a storage capacity of 600,000 Litres.
Herbert Konzelmann strives to produce low yield / high quality premium wines and with this philosophy his vision is exemplified in the continuously expanding premium wine series the "Winemaster's Collection". Only the oldest vines, which are hand picked and three times thinned, help produce these low yielding, high quality wines. These unique wines are only available for tasting and purchase in the Winery Boutique in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
It is the pride, dedication and art of winemaking that Herbert Konzelmann shares with us today. From his vineyards to our tables, his Winemaster skills shine through 'tradition and quality' in every bottle which creates our highest standard wine series the Winemaster's Collection. To really appreciate the work involved in the production of high quality wines, join us at Konzelmann Estate Winery for a tour, and see for yourself the hard work and pride exhibited at our vineyard.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
