lukas krauss and his red

Wiengut Krauss was started by Lukas’ father in the early 1980’s. Lukas took over some of the vineyards after school and was lucky to find that the grapes had been grown well so not much was required to be fully biodynamic in practice. There are 6 sheep in the vineyards and they work with cover crops to improve the soil and to bring beneficial insects that will hopefully eat or out compete the bad-for-grapes insects.
They also raise their own pigs and produce their own meat and sausage which everyone was raving about last year at their party! 

Located in the Pfalz, the soil here is sandy and very light. Which can mean that the grapes will ripen early - good in cold years but challenging in warmer years. Good thing they are so intentional and close to the vines - the father/ son team knows when to pick for a good balance of ripe fruit while keeping the essential acidity needed for a balanced wine!

So now meet - Lukas Krauss - the 'Der mann mit der Hut' (man in the hat cuz he always wears a hat)! This awesome fella makes me laugh and is just an all-around great guy who is making AMAZING wines! He is outspoken and committed to unpopular grape varieties as well as uncomfortable political statements. He makes many decisions based on a gut reaction which is both refreshing and slightly terrifying 🙂

This fresh & delicious red is a blend of Dornfelder, Blauer Portugieser, Schwarzriesling - I know, wtf, right?!! but trust me - YES YES YES!! a bunch of grapes we may not know much about here in the ol' US but we should cuz they are sooo good!! and SOOO much fun! So much ripe mountain blackberries and hints of red fruits dancing along the edges of your tongue. Minerality and hints of anise, black plum and mountain herbs bring all the balance to this awesome party! Plus get a load of that label! Couldn’t get much more fun than that!! Click on the bottle for a link!