Weingut Karl Erbes

Karl Erbes established his namesake winery in 1967 in the village of Ürzig within the Mosel region. Before founding the estate, Erbes worked as a master cooper and served as the cellarmaster for several other local wine producers. His son, Stefan Erbes, entered the family business in 1984 and eventually took over leadership in 2002. The estate remains a family operated domaine, maintaining a focus on traditional viticulture and manual labor required by the region's challenging terrain. While the family has a long history in the village, this specific estate represents the fulfillment of Karl’s personal vision for Mosel Riesling.

The estate cultivates between five and six hectares of vines located on some of the steepest slopes of the Middle Mosel. These holdings are primarily situated in the Ürziger Würzgarten, Erdener Treppchen, and the small Erdener Prälat. The terroir of Ürzig is distinct for its weathered red slate soils, which differ from the blue slate found in surrounding villages and contribute a specific spice to the wines. All of the estate's plantings are dedicated to Riesling, including a significant proportion of own rooted vines that are between 70 and 80 years old. Winemaking practices emphasize minimal intervention, utilizing spontaneous fermentation and aging in traditional large oak casks known as fuders to preserve the identity of the fruit.

Signature wines from the producer are defined by the intense mineral and exotic fruit notes typical of the Ürziger Würzgarten site. The winery produces a broad range of Riesling styles, including dry versions, off dry feinherb bottlings, and various Prädikat levels from Kabinett to Eiswein. Stefan Erbes is particularly noted for his skill with noble sweet wines, frequently producing Auslese and higher categories that are recognized for their concentration and aging potential. As a member of the Moselwein association, the estate is regarded as a consistent source of authentic Middle Mosel wines that prioritize site specific character over modern commercial trends.