Outstanding Vinotheks Details

They've always been on good terms with heaven here. Precisely 125 years ago, Andreas Neymeyer requested a permit as a communion wine maker and supplier. A few months later he received approval and once sworn in became the first winegrower in Baden to receive that honor. A tradition that his great-grandson with the same name still continues at Weingut Bastian (founded 1868) in Endingen on the Kaiserstuhl.

It goes without saying that the family winery offers a range of products stretching beyond its two traditional "Badische Qualitätslikörwein," as the two communion wines are classified. The estate's 8.5 ha of vineyards contain primarily Spätburgunder, Grauer Burgunder, Weißer Burgunder, as well as Müller-Thurgau, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Muskateller and Saint Laurent.

When great-grandson Neymeyer joined the family operation in 2011, fresh off several internships and studies in viticulture and oenology, he ended up dividing the wines into four categories: "Alle Tage" are wines for on-premise sales in liter bottles; "Élégance" are light and fruity wines in 0.75 liter bottles. The name "Expression" stands for wines with body and powerful expressiveness; the "****Stern" label is given only to extraordinary four-star wines.

After a massive, catastrophic fire in 2010, the estate rebuilt itself, including the winery, in a more modern style. The pressing station, which had escaped the fire, was modernized later, in 2011. Today it is the heart of the estate, along with the architecturally bright and airy new buildings. After roughly 6,500 hours of labor on restoration and expansion, the new vinothek opened in 2013.

Beyond the scattered barrels and lightly curving bar, the other real eye-catcher is the 60-square-meter wall photo of the house's own Chardonnay vineyard. The wine tasting room is located on the building's second floor.

Standard parts of any visit include the vinothek and a tour of the old wine cellar. Those looking for a bit more adventure have a treat in store: the chance to ride through the Löshohlweg vineyard in an old Unimog 404S. Take your seat on the open bed of the legendary off-road vehicle as it crosses the grounds on bumpy paths, up the hills to a lovely panoramic view of the landscape around the Kaiserstuhl — including a delightful tasting of the house wines directly amidst the vines.