Mosel
, Germany
Winery Overview
Clean Slate is the product of a partnership between Moselland of Bernkastel-Lues, Germany and Winebow.
Moselland is the largest vineyard owner in the Mosel and one of Germany’s top exporters of Riesling. Winemaker,
Manuel Brixius, is considered to be the new face of German wine. After receiving a degree in viticulture and
oenology at the prestigious University of Applied Sciences in Geisenheim, Germany, Manuel went to work at
acclaimed wineries such as Hermann Wiemer in the Finger Lakes of New York and Peter Lauer in the Ayler Kupp
region of Germany. In 2007, he joined Moselland eG, one of the largest and most esteemed producers in Germany’s
Mosel region. At Moselland, he has quickly risen from a member of the advisory board to the current technical
director of oenology.
Location of Vineyard
The thin slate stones of vineyards in the Mosel River Valley are a critical factor in crafting Riesling of exquisite
balance. The stones are so precious that should any slip into the river, they are carefully retreived and carried back
up the treacherously steep vineyard slopes and returned to their place. The slate’s ability to reflect and retain heat is
essential to ripening grapes in this cool climate, and what developes the fresh peach, crisp lime and subtle mineral
flavors of these wines.
Winemaking Philosophy
Clean Slate is made of Riesling grapes sourced from selected vineyards throughout the Mosel region. Known for its
steep slopes, the region’s exceptional climate and mineral rich slate soil create the perfect growing conditions for
this grape.
The cool climate of Mosel’s northerly location allows grapes to ripen very slowly, while the slopes give the vines ideal
sun exposure. Further protection comes with the Mosel River’s tendency to hold heat, keeping vines protected from
getting too cold and creating a special microclimate for ideal ripeness. The thin, stony topsoil forces the vines to
root deep through the rocks for water and nutrients, resulting in wines of excellent minerality and complexity.
In the course of harvest, Clean Slate makes daily decisions regarding which grapes to pick based on ripeness and
maturation in the different areas of the region. Manuel insists on the gentle handling of the grapes, which are then
fermented and stored instainless steel tanks under temperature controlled conditons. All of this is critical to the
development of the fresh peach, crisp lime and subtle mineral flavors of Clean Slate’s wines — Manuel’s exquisite
expression of the region’s unique essence of Riesling
terroir
.
