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OVERVIEW
Founded in 1916, the Steinmann residence, hotel and winery are located in the beautiful medieval walled city of Sommerhausen. The cellars are located in Pastoriushaus, the birthplace of Daniel Pastorius, first German emigrant to America and founder of Germantown, PA. Twenty-seven acres of vineyards are located in the best sites of Sommerhausen, and wines are made in small batches with a fanatical level of control. Artur Steinmann has been at the head of the family business since 1982.
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HISTORY
Artur Steinmann was founded in the Medieval walled Franconian village of Sommerhausen on the Main River in 1916 by Artur's grandfather Karl. The family home and winery are located in the residence on Sommerhausen's market square where Daniel Pastorius the first German emigrant to America and founder of Germantown, Pennsylvania was born. A visit to Sommerhausen today is a step into the 17th century, charmingly maintained.
The Artur Steinmann estate includes 28 acres on Sommerhausen's best slopes, featuring fully half of the great Steinbach overlooking the village, and the best part of Ölspiel. While a wide variety of grapes is grown - both white and and red as is typical of the region - the best wines are produced from Riesling and Silvaner. It is in Franken, on the shell-limestone slopes, that Silvaner achieves its highest quality, rivaling the elegance and transparency of all but the better Rieslings. Franken Rieslings are known more for power than finesse, yet Steinmann's Pastorius Riesling (Sommerhausen Steinbach) retains freshness and finesse.
Artur Steinmann practices low-yield viticulture and careful berry selection prior to undergoing natural fermentation in small lots, using both stainless steel tanks and cured German oak ovals. The best whites are dry, and are bottled in the traditional, squat bocksbeutel (from bugsbeutel, a medieval water flask designed to be worn close to the body).
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PRESS
Pastorius Sommerhausen Ölspiel Silvaner Kabinett (2005) - "Franken's ability to produce exceptional wines from grapes that are uninspired elsewhere is evidenced here: Silvaner shows a pronounced smoky, mineral quality filled out with cherry, strawberry and lemon flavors."
Jamal A. Rayyis, Food & Wine, Wine Guide, Feb 1, 2008
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Pastorius Sommerhausen Steinbach Riesling Spätlese Trocken (2004) - "In many ways a minimalist wine with clean minerals and defining acidity, this still possesses round, smoky pineapple and peach flavors. Drink now-10 years."
Riesling recommendation - ***
Jamal A. Rayyis, Food & Wine, Wine Guide 2007, Oct 1, 2006
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Pastorius Sommerhausen Steinbach Riesling (2004) - "In many ways a minimalist wine with clean minerals and defining acidity, this still possesses round, smoky pineapple and peach flavors. Drink now-10 years. "
Riesling recommendation - ***
Jamal A. Rayyis, Food & Wine, Wine Guide 2007, Oct 1, 2006
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