Biography

Born into a great tradition of winemaking Ernst Loosen (pronounced loh-zen) has spectacularly brought the Dr Loosen wines into 21st century. Through years of study, travel and dedication he has been awarded many wine accolades and we believe his wines are some of the best Germany has to offer.

When Ernst Loosen assumed ownership in 1988, he realized that with ungrafted vines averaging 60 years old, in some of Germany’s best-rated vineyards, he had the raw materials to create stunningly intense, world-class wines.  To achieve this, Ernst dramatically reduced his crop size and stopped all chemical fertilisation, preferring only moderate use of organic fertilizers. And, most importantly, he turned to gentler cellar practices that allow the wine to develop its full potential with a minimum of handling and technological meddling.

 

Q & A

How did you get started in the wine trade?

I grew up in a winemaking family, but didn’t really want to go that way. I wanted to be an archaeologist and was studying at the University of Mainz. But when my father became seriously ill, I was the only one of the kids in a position to take over the winery. I decided to do it because I didn’t want to see the vineyards sold off.

What’s been your proudest achievement to date?

I’m proud that I was able to keep the winery in the family – it was a 200-year tradition. And I’m happy that I was able to persuade my younger brother, Thomas, to join me a few years later. He’s extremely well organized and has the whole production and export operation running very smoothly.

 

Describe yourself in three words…

A curious skeptic.

 

What would you do if you weren’t in the wine trade?

I’d be digging in some Roman excavation somewhere. Perhaps uncovering another Roman press house in the Mosel valley.

 

Provide a brief description of your vineyards?

We have three distinct terroirs in the very steep, dramatically picturesque vineyards of the cool-climate Mosel Valley: blue slate, red slate and a red volcanic conglomerate. We only grow Riesling, which has a long tradition here, and each mineral-rich soil type gives its unique taste to the wine. Our old, ungrafted vines produce naturally dense, concentrated wines.

 

What is your winemaking philosophy?

A great wine begins in your head.

 

What’s your most exciting grape variety?

Riesling… Pinot Noir… No, Riesling… No, Pinot… To me, these two varieties are very similar in their delicacy and their ability to show their origins. At Dr. Loosen we are 100% Riesling, but I’m making Pinot at J.L. Wolf in the Pfalz, and I’ve just invested in an Oregon Pinot project.

 

What do you consider to be your biggest challenge of winemaking?

Selling the stuff! As long as you have good viticulture, making excellent wine is the easy part. Finding loyal customers in this crowded, extremely competitive world is the most difficult thing.

 

What’s the next step for your wines?

We want to get back to the prices that German Riesling fetched back at the beginning of the 20th century. In those days, they sold for higher prices than Grand Cru Burgundy or the First Growths of Bordeaux!

 

If you could own one wine property in the world what would it be?

Le Musigny. Even if it were only a small parcel!

 

Who has been your greatest influence in the wine trade?

There are many who influenced me by demonstrating how NOT to do business in the wine trade, but I’ll not mention any names. One of the earliest positive influences was Stuart Pigott, who helped me understand the potential and historical value of the great vineyard sites that I inherited.