Hans Wirsching

Iphofen, Franconia, Germany

Weingut Hans Wirsching, situated in the picturesque medieval town of Iphofen in Franconia, an hour and a half east of Frankfurt, is one of the top producers of Silvaner and Scheurebe in Germany. Now in its 14th generation, the Wirsching family, led by Andrea Wirsching, focuses on Silvaner (40%), the signature grape of the Franconian wine area. 20% of their vineyards are planted with Riesling, the classical German grape, and 7% with Scheurebe, a fruity, aromatic grape variety that first gained prominence in the 1950s. The balance is planted to white Pinot varieties, with a small percentage of red grapes as well.

The Wirsching estate dates to 1630, when Hans Wirsching donated a vineyard to the Abbey at Ebrach. Over the next several centuries, the Wirschings continued their love for, and involvement in, the business of agriculture and wine growing. In the late 19th century, the family almost gave up winemaking as the phylloxera louse devastated the European wine industry. It was a young Hans Wirsching who, in 1918 at age 23 and returning from World War I, made the decision to put all his energy into restoring the vineyards. He not only restarted the winery, but also began the painstaking process of replanting the vineyards with American rootstock.

The soils in this part of Franconia consist largely of “Keuper” or Jurassic Clay, a sediment stone from 220 million years ago, when dinosaurs walked through what was then swamps. Layers of Gypsum within that stone add an alkaloid which give the wines low to moderate acidity. The wines of Iphofen are full bodied with hints of herbaceous aromas and elegant fruit components.

In the early 1950s, Hans Wirsching renewed his pioneering efforts, and along with Karl Fuhrmann at Pfeffingen, obtained Scheurebe cuttings from the Annaberg and transplanted them to the Kronsberg vineyard. We can credit both men for leading the charge in elevating Scheurebe, a hybrid of Riesling and Bukettrebe, whose aroma is sometimes reminiscent of blackcurrant, pink grapefruit or lychee.

Wirsching is a member of the wine association VDP-Die Prädikatsweingüter. The VDP has very high production and quality standards which are as follows: VDP.Gutswein (estate), VDP.Ortswein (village), VDP Erste Lage (Premier Cru), VDP.Große Lage (Grand Cru). Wirsching is member of Fair N’Green, an organization that certifies growers for sustainable viticulture.

Our Selections

Wirsching Silvaner Iphofer Bocksbeutel 2020

Silvaner is the most important grape at Wirsching and the Iphofer bocksbeutel is a classic representation of the grape: apple, peach and thyme aromas with a rich and silky attack and a steely, long, mineral austerity on the finish. This is a “Ortswein” or village level wine and is considered “Franconian dry,” meaning 4 grams of residual sugar or less. This matches perfectly with light dishes such as fish, simply prepared vegetables or white meat. 12.5% alc., 3.9 g/l RS, 5.7 g/l acidity.

Wirsching Silvaner Iphofer Julius-Echter-Berg GG Bocksbeutel 2019

From old vines rooted in low-yielding clayey gypsum soils. This is Wirsching’s Grand Cru vineyard and always yields one of the most complex Silvaners in world. Rich and elegant, displaying typical herbal aromas (thyme and sage) and a fine concentration of fruit (nectarine and apricot). It is dense and supple but also salty and well-balanced with fresh acidity and minerality. This wine, combining substance with tension, can age for twenty years or more. 13% alc., 2.8 g/l RS, 6.6 g/l acidity

Wirsching Scheurebe Iphofer Bocksbeutel 2020

The unique and aromatic Scheurebe is one of the specialties at Wirsching. A local pioneer in the area, Hans Wirsching first planted the variety in 1952. Fermented entirely in stainless steel, the Iphofer Scheurebe features classic exotic aromas of pineapple, passion fruit, pink grapefruit and mango. On the palate, the wine is textured, with excellent acidity. 12.5% alc., 4.1 g/l RS, 6.2 g/l acidity

“The 2020 Scheurebe Iphöfer opens with a clear, crisp and delicately flinty bouquet with fresh mango and white peach aromas. Medium-bodied and very fresh on the palate, this is a crisp and crunchy, nicely juicy Scheurebe with good intensity, structure and length. The 2020 is not (yet?) as loud as Scheurebe wines normally are, but it delivers lovely phenolic grip and a coolish character. A great aperitif at 12.5% alcohol. 88pts” - Stephan Reinhardt, The Wine Advocate, December, 2021

Wirsching SIlvaner Estate 2020

The estate Silvaner from Wirsching has a fresh bouquet with fine, fruity notes and a youthful lightness on the palate. The light acidity, nuanced palate, and mineral finish are typical for Wirsching wines. Fermentation is done at a lower temperature than the classical wines bottled in bocksbeutel. As such, the CO2 is preserved, adding a tangy character and pleasant freshness. This is a terrific aperitif. 12.5% alc., 4.6 g/l RS, 6.1 g/l acidity

Wirsching Silvaner Iphofer Kalb Bocksbeutel 2020

The Iphofer Kalb site is a steep slope exposed to the south. The gypsum soils warm easily which lead to elegant wines with fresh flavors and fine fruitiness. The mild climate and long vegetation period allow the grapes to reach full ripeness while emphasizing the mineral characteristics in the soil.

Silvaners from Iphofen are full-bodied wines with a savory finish and long age-ability. The chalky gypsum soils lend a pleasant minerality and finesse to the wine. Notes of sage, apple and pear, along with a stony, saline element on the finish.

13.5% alc., 4.7 g/l RS, 5.8 g/l acidity

Wirsching Riesling Iphofer Julius-Echter-Berg GG Bocksbeutel 2019

Top Riesling from one of the best sites in Franconia. The Grand Cru Julius-Echter-Berg site features clay gypsum Keuper soils, which lend a mineral freshness to the old vines. 1/3rd was fermented in big wooden barrels and 2/3rds in stainless steel. Aged on the on lees for 16 months before bottling. 13% alc., 6.1 g/l RS, 8.2 g/l acidity.

“The 2019 Julius-Echter-Berg Riesling GG is deep, intense and clear on the still reductive but terroir-driven, herbal and stony-mineral bouquet that indicates ripe fruit aromas in a subtle, well-integrated way. Silky, lush and very elegant on the palate, this is a rich and round, very dense yet fine and well-balanced Riesling from the JEB that finishes with lemon aromas and a remarkable intensity. Still a baby, this JEB should be aged for at least five or six years, but it can go 30 and many more years. 13% alcohol. 94 Points” - Stephan Reinhardt, The Wine Advocate, December, 2021

Wirsching Scheurebe Estate 2020

The estate Scheurebe wine is a delight due to its fresh and fruity bouquet. Exotic aromas such as grapefruit and mango in combination with a subtle yet refreshing acidity make this a perfect introduction to the grape. Fermentation is done at a lower temperature than the classical wines bottled in bocksbeutel. As such, the CO2 is preserved, adding a tangy character and pleasant freshness. This is a terrific aperitif. 12.5% alc., 7.7 g/l RS, 6 g/l acidity