Outstanding Vinotheks Details

The Weinhaus Anton is relatively young by Pfalz standards. Ralph Anton took over the business in 2004 from his father Karl, who himself started here in Kirrweiler with a distillery and only later, in the 1970s, began bottling his own wines. After studying in Geisenheim, Ralph Anton felt the time was right to expand the estate. Today he cultivates vines on the finest classified sites, including the Mandelberg, Oberschloss and Römerberg. His portfolio spans both red and white varieties, including all members of the Pinot family, from Weißburgunder and Grauburgunder to Spätburgunder and even the more extended family — Chardonnay and Auxerrois — as well as Sauvignon Blanc and Muskateller.

Kirrweiler, a community in the Südliche Weinstraße district between Neustadt and Landau, is one of the Pfalz's largest winegrowing areas. And even if Ralph Anton's business isn't one of the region's storied historical wineries, it certainly has learned how to make waves — both through the wines as well as for the vinothek. The latter opened its doors in September 2013, with 80 square meters offering space for up to 45 persons. Anton and his wife Simone were primarily interested in giving a platform for wine as a cultural treasure, and in making wine buying a memorable experience, even while retaining the groundedness of the family and its estate.

The architecture is built on clear lines, with interior designer Thomas Blinn creating an exciting mix ranging from concrete to clay stucco. The relationship to nature is symbolized by oak beams from an old pressing house, while the presentation room has been kept light, open and inviting. Generously proportioned windows offer an easy view out onto the vineyards, while glass floors let visitors watch the doings in the cellar. Architect Blinn goes so far as to compare the importance of the vinothek to that of a specialized jeweler: "The wines are the jewels, demanding to be staged properly and given their due like any precious stone in a store."

Ralph Anton freely admits his love for his own winzersekt (sparkling wine). The Pinot Blanc de Noir in particular is his favorite. He's hardly the only one — it has claimed multiple gold medals from the Chamber Prize of the State of Rheinland-Pfalz. The distillery's "Williams Christ -S-" has also claimed gold, showing that distilling remains a major passion of Ralph Anton just as it was for his father Karl. Anton has won hearts and minds through his artistic distilling of local fruits into brandies and spirits.

When special events roll around, Ralph and Simone Anton also offer Pfalz specialties. One such event was the Wine Days in May 2016, which included a live concert by pop/acoustic trio "Cajon" as a lovely backdrop to the estate's fine wines. Culture and wine — a pleasure for the ears and the palate.