Skip to Main

Frank John

Frank John

Frank John Riesling “Buntsandstein”

Frank John Riesling “Buntsandstein”

100% Riesling grown on Buntsandstein (colored sandstone) soils. Short maceration, slow pressing, spontaneous fermentation in 1200L and 2400L barrels. Aged one year on full lees.

Frank John Pinot Noir

Frank John Pinot Noir

100% Pinot Noir grown on limestone soils. Aged in 225L and 500L barrels for about two years, bottled without filtering.

Frank John Sekt Brut “36”

Frank John Sekt Brut “36”

100% Riesling. The base wine is whole-cluster pressed and undergoes a long aging process in special Palatine barrels. Traditional method secondary fermentation. 36 months on the lees before riddling and disgorgement. 8 g/L dosage.

Frank John Sekt Brut “50”

Frank John Sekt Brut “50”

100% Riesling. The base wine is whole-cluster pressed and undergoes a long aging process in special Palatine barrels. Traditional method secondary fermentation. 50 months on the lees before riddling and disgorgement. 8 g/L dosage.

About

Owner & winemaker: Frank John
Vineyards: 3ha
Vineyard management: Demeter-certified biodynamic since 2012
Soils: Buntsandstein (colored sandstone), limestone,
Grapes grown: Riesling, Pinot Noir
Annual production: 25,000 bottles

Quick facts:

  • Frank John and his wife run the estate with their two children, Sebastian and Dorothea.
  • The winery building, Hirschhorner Hof, is a 400-year-old former tithe house and ecclesiastical estate, which the family renovated after purchasing it in 2002.
  • Their traditional vinification philosophy involves hand-picked grapes, spontaneous fermentation, spontaneous MLF, long aging in large wooden barrels, minimal addition of sulfur before bottling, and bottle aging.