Karl Johner Pinot Noir, Baden

Karl Johner Pinot Noir is made in the Burgundian style. The focus at Johner is on wines full of structure but with purity and elegance and Johner has gained much international recognition for their exceptional German Pinot Noir offerings.

About Karl Johner Wines

After studying oenology in Geisenheim, Karl Heinz Johner spent ten years working for a large English winery (Lamberhurst Winery in Kent). Karl had always thought that Burgundy and Baden, which are not that far apart, have similar wine-growing conditions and decided that he wanted to make quality Pinot Noir in Germany. Therefore, in 1985, Karl and his wife Irene founded a little Weingut (Estate) in their home village “Bischoffingen” in the Kaiserstuhl. The Kaiserstühl is a volcanic outcrop in the Rhine Valley which has an ideal climate and a unique terroir of mineral-rich, volcanic ash soil.

Having overcome the difficulties of the German wine laws, Karl Heinz Johner has established himself as a pioneer of a new German Red wine style. Today, with his son Patrick at the helm, Karl H. Johner is considered one of the best wine estates in southern Germany and the vineyards cover some 17 hectares in Bischoffingen and surrounding areas.

Since 2001 Johner has also owned Johner Estate Vineyard in Gladstone, New Zealand, where he focuses on New Zealand Pinot Noir, amongst other wines.

Karl Johner Pinot Noir Winemaking

• Karl Johner Pinot Noir is made from 100% Pinot Noir.
• Grapes come from vineyards growing on volcanic ash and loess soils.
• The vineyards undergo intense canopy management, de-leafing and a 50% green harvest.
• Careful handpicking and exact grape sorting is compulsory.
• The grapes undergo 4 weeks of skin contact fermentation, 100% destemmed, malolactic fermentation follows after 6 months.
• The wine is aged in used oak barrels for 20 months before release.

German Pinot Noir AKA Spätburgunder

Pinot Noir is also known as Blauer Spätburgunder or Spätburgunder in Germany. German Pinot Noir typically displays a lighter body and delicate fruit flavours compared to its counterparts from warmer regions. It often showcases red fruit notes like cherry and raspberry, accompanied by earthy and herbal undertones.