Dear wine lovers,
we did it! After a demanding seven months of rebuilding our home, we finally moved into our new home on July 10th. We are very happy to be able to live as a family under one roof again. And soon my 86-year-old mother will also be returning to her ground floor apartment. This means our family is together again in one place and my mother can experience first hand how her grandchildren grow up - sometimes with a lot of energy and corresponding noise.
Final spurt in the vineyard: Harvest time is approaching
The vineyard year is progressing and approaching its climax - harvest time. I am very excited to see what quality the grapes will have from mid-September. The year that began with a lot of moisture also gave us four months of drought with pleasant temperatures. At the end of July, the long-awaited rain finally brought the much-needed water for the vines. Now we hope that the sun will take over the main role again from mid-August, because our grapes still need a lot of sunshine to reach full ripeness. Let us hope that the 2023 harvest will give us reason to celebrate.
Pleasant profits – but only for the big players
The glass and sugar companies also have every reason to be happy, as their cash registers are currently ringing. The price increase of more than 40 percent is explained by the energy crisis. In reality, however, the large companies in these sectors only had moderate increases in energy costs. Thanks to long-term supply contracts, they were able to cushion the effects of the price increase.
The situation is different at our winery: we need bottles, labels and corks to sell our wines, so we had to raise prices to at least cover the increased cost of materials.
Staying on your own path: the future for small wineries
In the midst of these considerations, an important question occurs to me: What future awaits companies like ours that rely on a smaller structure? We have been acting in line with current trends for years: sustainability, organic farming, family ties, customer focus, CO2 neutrality and social justice - and not just sugarcoated, but with complex certification that you can understand. And yet the question remains: are we also in danger of falling victim to the pressure for constant growth, like many small bakeries, bookstores or health food stores?
I don't think so! We will continue to work on a small scale, producing the highest quality from our grapes, which grow on our biodynamically cultivated soils and mature in barrels made of Palatinate oak. We offer all of this to you at affordable prices. Thanks to your loyalty as valued wine customers, we see a future for small wineries of our size that do not fall for the promise of unbridled growth.
Our wine says more than many words
The great thing about it is that I don't just offer you dry words, but also wonderful wine. With the cooler days approaching, I have put together a colorful autumn package for you that reflects the diversity of our range. Or maybe you would like to make someone happy with a special wine package?
Order the autumn enjoyment package!
4 bottles of 2021 Pinot Gris
Upper Goose Pasture
4 bottles of 2021 Riesling
Devil's Head »Herbal Scent«
4 bottles of 2021 Cabernet Carbon
Atmospheric autumn event with wine and singing
We are pleased to announce a very special event: On October 21st, starting at 5 p.m., we will be hosting an atmospheric concert with the a cappella quartet 4cant. The four musicians will take us on a journey from the Middle Ages to modern times.
We cordially invite you and your friends to this unique sound and enjoyment experience, during which we will also play some wine songs. Of course, we will also treat you to our biodynamic wines and delicious French cheese.
Dear friends of the Schnell winery, the months after the loss of our house were demanding and exhausting. We are all the more pleased to celebrate this beautiful concert evening together with everyone who has supported us during this difficult time, both personally and with their labor, by sharing clothes, toys and many everyday items, and also financially. Thank you for your generous support and solidarity! See you on October 21st.
Many warm greetings from Guntersblum
Stéphanie and Johann Schnell
with Marie, Lilo and Luc
