The Widow and the Doctor

The Thanisch family looks back on a winegrowing tradition of over 375 years. In the early 19th century, the family acquired part of the Berncasteler Doctor vineyard. After Dr. Hugo Thanisch passed at an early age, his 28 year old wife inherited the estate, which was then named after the widow: Witwe Dr. H. Thanisch.

Due to Napoleonic inheritance laws the estate was later split among the widow’s heirs and the family name “Erben Müller-Burggraef” was added to the estate’s name.

For generations the name Thanisch has been  synonymous for luxurious white wines from the Mosel. The estate gained its international reputation in the middle of the 19th century under the ownership of Dr. Hugo Thanisch. From that time on, Thanisch wines repeatedly obtained spectacular prices at international auctions, as for example in 1986 when a 1921 Berncasteler Doctor Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese changed hands for the incredible sum of 11.200 DM (approx. $16,300).

Wineyards

The legendary Berncasteler Doctor vineyard is located behind the village of Bernkastel and is one of the most prestigious vineyards in Germany.

This 100% steep site with a South-South-West orientation consists of medium deep, stony, loamy weathered argillaceous schist. Planted with up to 80 year old vines, full-bodied, spicy wines are grown here. The South-South-West orientation of the vineyard guarantees optimal sunshine throughout most of the day.

The Riesling wines from the Berncasteler Doctor are among the most famous and noble white wines in the world.