Ansgar Clusserath
Since its founding in 1670, Weingut Ansgar Clüsserath in Trittenheim on the Mosel has been owned and operated by the family. Eva Clüsserath-Wittmann and her father Ansgar manage the estate. The estate vineyards are 97% planted to Riesling. Grapes are harvested selectively in several stages, allowing the removial of unripe or diseased bunches. The philosophy is to pick as late as possible so grapes achieve optimal ripeness and extract. Between crushing and pressing, the grapes are left to macerate for up to 48 hours on their skins, depending on vintage conditions. After sedimentation, the unfiltered, cloudy grape juice is transferred for fermentation to 50-year-old Fuders. Slow spontaneous fermentation is the norm for all wines, along with long lees aging. Prior to bottling, wines are filtered once, but undergo no other treatments or procedures.
The primary site is the south-west facing APOTHEKE vineyard in Trittenheim, which is situated in a big bend in the Mosel river about half way between Bernkastel and Trier. It is by reputation the best vineyard in Trittenheim and is regarded as one of the Mosel’s top sites in general. “Apotheke” literally means “pharmacy”, however its name has nothing to do with the positive effect of wine on health. It most probably originated from its name “Abtsberg”; a donation by the Trier Abbey. It’s a 78-degree slope of blue slate, vines at the top of the slope ripen some 2 weeks later than those at the bottom, such is the difference in altitude. The other great site that is used is the GOLDTRÖPFCHEN (“droplets of gold”) in Piesport; south facing with quartz and more weathered blue slate with a higher water holding capacity, the slope varying between 30 and 70%.